The Yellow Curtain 1915

Henri Matisse made *The Yellow Curtain* sometime in his life using oil paint. The canvas is mostly filled with blocks of yellow, blue, and a soft turquoise. Imagine how it came into being, built up layer by layer, with areas rubbed back or painted over as Matisse searched for the right balance. I can almost feel what it might have been like for him, grappling with those shapes and colors, trying to make them sing together. The paint is fairly thin, creating a smooth surface that emphasizes the color. It's as though the entire work vibrates. Notice the way the bold yellow pushes forward against the cool blues and greens. It’s a conversation, right? A visual dialogue that transcends the literal. The black lines, like musical notes, are dancing to their own tune and offer a sense of structure to the piece. He inspired so many painters after him, all of us trying to have our own conversation in paint!