Matisse at GOMA
Art lovers will agree that Henri Matisse was an artist of classical greatness. His career was long and varied, covering many different styles of painting from Impressionism to near Abstraction. Early on in his career, he was viewed as a Fauvist, and his celebration of bright colours reached its peak in 1917 when he began to spend more time on the French Riviera at Nice and Vence. This is where he completed most of his exciting paintings. In 1941, Matisse was diagnosed as having duodenal cancer and was permanently confined to a wheelchair. It was in this condition that he completed the magnificent Chapel of the Rosary in Vence. The above painting “Purple Robe and Anemones” is one of my favourites. I love it because of it’s abstract feel and use of colour and as with most of Matisse’s works, still looks great today in most settings.
Matisse was also a born leader and taught and encouraged other painters. Brisbane artists and art lovers alike are very lucky to be able to view the works of this great artist on display at GOMA until 4th March 2012.
The exhibition, titled ‘Matisse Drawing Life’ is the most comprehensive exhibition of Henri Matisse’s prints ever mounted. It has been presented in partnership with the Bibliotheque nationale de France and includes more than 300 drawings, prints and illustrated books.
An interactive large-scale drawing studio for visitors will feature The Drawing Room, inspired by Matisse and his working environments in GOMA’s Long Gallery.
Yours in Classic Artists,
Angie
