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The XXth Century
BIOGRAPHY
Henri MATISSE (1869-1954)
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French painter, draftsman, engraver, and sculptor. A major figure of the 20th century, he exerted a considerable influence on the art of the latter half of the century through his use of simplification, stylization, synthesis, and color as the sole subject of painting, inspiring numerous figurative and abstract painters who claimed him and his discoveries as their own. He was the leader of Fauvism.
Réf. 6346
Charcoal on paper
Signed, dated and located ‘Liban’ lower left
DIMENSIONS :
– 48 x 31,5 cm (77 x 60 cm encadré)
– 18 7/8 x 12 3/8 in. (30 3/8 x 23 5/8 in. framed)
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Certificate ‘Archives Henri Matisse’
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PROVENANCE :
– Famille Matisse
– Lumley Cazalet Ltd., London
– Christie’s, New York, 2001
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EXHIBITION :
“Henri Matisse: Twenty Paintings and Drawings” Lumley Ltd, London. June – July, 1998, no.17 (illustrated in the accompanying exhibition catalogue p. 41)
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Madame Wanda de Guébriant confirmed the authenticity of this charcoal drawing in 1996, and it is now recorded and listed as No. 058 in the Henri Matisse Archives.
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Created in 1948, this drawing by Henri Matisse depicts the portrait of a woman, rendered in pencil with great delicacy. The face, both stylized and expressive, is defined by supple, confident lines that outline the essential features: almond-shaped eyes, a refined nose, softly traced lips, and a flowing lock of hair. The inscription “Liban” in the lower left suggests that the model may have been of Lebanese origin, or that the work refers to a memory or encounter connected to that country. The drawing demonstrates Matisse’s mastery of line—each mark, though seemingly simple, contributes to a subtle balance of form and grace. Through this restrained approach, the artist conveys a vivid sense of presence and gentle emotion. With its elegant clarity and refined composition, this portrait recalls certain graphic explorations by Picasso or Modigliani, while remaining distinctly Matisse — an art of the line that is at once free, precise, and profoundly harmonious.
