Jeune femme allongée 1941

Henri Matisse made this drawing, *Jeune femme allongée*, in 1941 with a dry, scratchy charcoal, or maybe it's just pencil? The marks feel immediate, like he's trying to capture not just what he sees, but maybe also the energy of the pose, of his model lounging there. I can feel him working and reworking the lines to find the right contour of the arm. It's fascinating to watch him discover the body through these simple, economical lines! I bet Matisse felt the weight of the body with each mark he made. Did he consider her comfort? The composition and the angle… he probably just wanted to feel, to be present. I think this piece has some dance moves. It's like he is saying, "how do you feel" with his making? It shows you how painting is like being a medium, and the painting is the message. I’m excited to follow the conversation Matisse started!