The Black Shawl 1918

Matisse painted this reclining figure, called 'The Black Shawl,' with oil on canvas. I love how the big planes of colour just sit next to one another, slightly clashing. He wasn’t afraid to make something a bit ugly, you know? That’s real. The paint feels thick and creamy, especially in the black lines of the shawl. It looks like he used a big, clunky brush, not trying to be too precious. Look at how the red of the background bleeds into the white flowers, so the whole thing buzzes with energy. The yellow of the wall is really jarring next to the red. It’s like he’s pushing the colours as far as they can go, without losing the whole thing. This reminds me of other painters like Bonnard, who were also obsessed with colour and pattern. It’s like they’re having a conversation across time, each pushing the boundaries of what paint can do. I love how art isn’t about answers, but about exploring possibilities.