L’Odalisque, Harmonie Bleue 1937

Henri Matisse made 'L’Odalisque, Harmonie Bleue' with paint and canvas, and a real sense of playful invention. The blues are so vibrant, and the way he balances them with the other colours is just masterful, you can see how artmaking for him was a real process. It's fascinating how the physicality of the paint contributes to the emotional resonance of the artwork. Take, for instance, the large green shape of the figure's dress, that almost cartoonish simplification, achieved with broad, confident brushstrokes. It's far from detailed, but it's so evocative! It's like Matisse is saying that precision isn't the point, but rather a feeling or impression. Matisse reminds me of Morandi, another artist who found endless fascination in simple, everyday subjects. Both artists teach us that art isn't about replicating reality, but about creating new ways of seeing and experiencing the world. And that's a lesson worth embracing.