From his earliest pointillist-influenced paintings to this mature and playful paper cut-outs; from enormous, ebullient murals to reverent stained glass--Henri Matisse was renowned for his dramatic use of color and fluid draftsmanship. Thirty of Matisse's most beloved works are given close attention in this introduction that explores the varying tensions of the artist's oeuvre--his embrace of pure color, patterns, and texture; the languorous pleasures of the Cote d'Azur; primitive displays of human ecstasy; tranquil scenes of domestic life and soaring monuments to religious life. An engaging biography takes readers through every phase of Matisse's career and reveals how his aversion to troubling or depressing subject matter was in direct opposition to the radical spirit of his work.

从早期的点彩派绘画，到现在成熟俏皮的剪纸作品；从巨大、热情奔放的壁画到虔诚的彩色玻璃，亨利·马蒂斯（Henri Matisse）以其对色彩的戏剧性运用和流畅的绘图技巧而闻名。本书密切关注马蒂斯备受欢迎的30件作品，探讨了艺术家作品的不同张力，他拥抱纯色、图案和纹理；蓝色海岸的慵懒快乐；人类狂喜的原始展示；宁静的家庭生活场景和宗教生活高耸的纪念碑。这本引人入胜的传记带读者了解了马蒂斯职业生涯的每个阶段，并揭示了他是如何在作品中激进地表达对令人不安或压抑的主题的厌恶。