131. The Goldfish, Henri Matisse

 

1912 Goldfish  Henri Mattisse. 1912 C.E. France. Oil on canvas This painting is an illustration of some of the major themes in Matisse's painting: his use of complimentary colors, his quest for an idyllic paradise, his appeal for contemplative relaxation for the viewer and his complex construction of pictorial space.

Form: oil on canvas

Function: use vibrant colors to evoke an emotional response contemplative relaxation for the viewer

Content: still life painting violent contrasts of color thinly applied colors—white of the canvas shows through energetic brushwork influenced by asian art? (so decorative)

Context: Fauvism art movement that debuted in 1905 in Paris named from a critic who thought the paintings looked like they'd been painted by "Wild Beasts" inspired by post impressionists (Van Gogh, and Gauguin) stressed a painterly surface with broad flat areas of violently contrasting color maximize expressive effects by suppressing figure models and color harmonies Matisse french one of the biggest figures in the development of modern art (along with Picasso) loved to explore the expressive potential of color and its relation to form colors are emotions, not reality famous for decorative style, expressive forms, bold use of color make art, dont imitate nature Goldfish? went to Morocco, and everyone would stare at goldfish contemplatively all day long relaxed lifestyle goldfish became a symbol for paradise lost, a tranquil state of mind "an art that could be....a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair that provides relaxation from fatigue.” - Matisse