Woman with a Red Umbrella 1919

Henri Matisse's 'Woman with a Red Umbrella' is a party of color and pattern, playing out a sunny afternoon, most likely made with oil on canvas. It's all about how color and brushstrokes can create a mood, a space, a whole world, really. Look at the red tiles on the floor, they’re not just red, they’re a dance of pinks and oranges that vibrate and make the space feel alive. The paint isn't trying to hide anything; you can see how Matisse built up the layers. The blue shutters are so vibrant; they almost hum against the red of the floor. This kind of domestic interior reminds me a bit of Bonnard. Both artists had this amazing ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary through color. Matisse really understood that art isn't about perfection, it's about the conversation, the back-and-forth between the artist and the canvas, and ultimately, between the artwork and you, the viewer.