1869-1954

Retrospectively Matisse is considered a giant of twentieth century art.  During his day his controversial work was championed by Gertrude Stein’s circle in Paris. Regardless of the medium in which he expressed proficiency, Matisse was interested in the memorable concept; even portrait drawings redefine old paradigms. “A young painter who cannot liberate himself from the influence of past generations is digging his own grave,” said Matisse. He began to paint in 1889 while recovering from appendicitis, studied at Académie Julian and first exhibited in 1896 at the Salon des Beaux-Arts.