Standing Nude near Window 1919

Henri Matisse made this painting of a standing nude near a window using oil paint. The gestures are broad, almost like he was carving out the shapes in space. You can see him trying to find the right curve for the woman's body, or the way the light hits the folds of the curtain. I can imagine Matisse, brush in hand, circling the canvas, stepping back, squinting, then diving back in. The red of the floor is so warm and grounding and contrasts with the cool grays and whites of the room. It seems like he was interested in exploring light and shadow, creating a sense of depth with just a few well-placed strokes. There’s something so direct and honest about the way he painted. Matisse was influenced by so many artists and this piece fits with others of his where he was exploring form and color, and that’s the great thing about painting—it’s an ongoing conversation between artists across time.