Nu assis, fond bleu 1936

Henri Matisse painted "Nu assis, fond bleu" using oil on canvas. These are conventional materials, of course, yet he used them unconventionally. The painting presents a seated nude against a blue background, treated with loose brushwork. The materiality of the paint is evident in the visible strokes, with layers building up a textured surface. Notice how the artist has engaged with the material qualities of oil paint to create a sense of depth and movement with dynamic patterns and rhythms. Matisse’s approach here seems to be flying in the face of mass production and the advent of industrial processes. The work emphasizes the artist's hand, offering an intimacy and immediacy that contrasts sharply with the cool detachment of modern manufacturing. By highlighting the physical act of painting, Matisse elevates the status of artistic labor and the importance of individual expression. This fresh perspective invites us to reconsider the value of making in an increasingly industrialized world.