Jeune fille 1937

Henri Matisse drew "Jeune fille" with ink on paper, and what strikes me first is how a few lines can suggest so much. It's like he's thinking out loud with the pen. The textures created are amazing; from the frills of her collar, to the decoration on her dress. I keep coming back to her hand, how her fingers cradle her chin. It’s this simple gesture which really conveys a sense of intimacy and reflection. The negative space around her is just as important as the lines themselves. It gives the figure room to breathe, to exist in this quiet, contemplative moment. Matisse reminds me of Picasso here, particularly in their shared ability to find new ways of seeing. Both ask us to embrace the beauty of imperfection, to see the world with fresh eyes. It’s a constant back and forth, a conversation across time.