Femme nue allongée 1935

Henri Matisse made this line drawing, *Femme nue allongée,* at some point in his career, and what strikes me first is the economy of means. It’s just a line, but wow, what a line can do! It dances and defines, creating a world with a few well-placed curves and angles. Looking closer, the weight of the line varies, giving the figure depth and volume, like he’s sculpting with ink. The way the lines flow, they create a sense of movement. Take the curve of her hip, for example: it’s a single, confident stroke that somehow tells you everything you need to know about the weight and form of the body. It makes me think about Cy Twombly's scribbles, but with a classical twist. Ultimately, this piece is all about the joy of seeing and the pleasure of translating that vision onto paper. It’s simple, direct, and full of life. Matisse isn’t trying to trick you; he’s inviting you to see the world as he does, full of beauty and possibility.