Matisse, Henri | Nu, main gauche près de l'épaule, 1926 — available on Composition Gallery

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Chalk on paper. Registered in the artist's archive under number V 392.

"Nu, main gauche près de l'épaule" is a 1926 chalk drawing by Henri Matisse depicting a reclining female figure with her left hand positioned near her shoulder. The composition exemplifies Matisse's supreme command of line, capturing the full sensuality and weight of the human form through spare, confident contours. The figure reclines on patterned fabric rendered with delicate decorative marks, while a necklace provides a subtle detail of adornment. Registered in the artist's archive under number V 392, this drawing belongs to Matisse's celebrated series of odalisque studies from the 1920s.

Henri Matisse (France, 1869–1954) was a pioneer of Fauvism, celebrated for his vibrant use of color and bold, expressive forms. His work spanned painting, sculpture, and paper cut-outs, with masterpieces like The Red Room and his Blue Nudes. Matisse's innovative approach continues to influence modern art and design.

Henri Matisse

Nu, main gauche près de l'épaule, 1926

Name: Nu, main gauche près de l'épaule, 1926
SKU: 17321

Form

Drawing / Watercolor

Drawing / WatercolorDrawing and watercolor are two traditional art techniques which stand alone as media, but are often used in conjunction with each other. Drawing can create the basic outlines for watercolor painting. Drawing over dried watercolor or using watercolor pencils are combined media techniques.

Medium

Chalk

ChalkChalk is a natural mineral, primarily composed of calcium carbonate. In art, chalk refers to sticks used for drawing, made from a mixture of chalk, colored pigments, and gum Arabic. These sticks are usually shaped into four flat sides for easier handling.

Edition

Unique work

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●Inventory 17321

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Limited Edition Print

Lithograph

USD 10,500

Henri Matisse

L'Espagnol à la mantille, 1925

Limited Edition Print

Etching and Aquatint

Currently Not Available

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Drawing is putting a line around an idea.

- Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse was a French artist whose pioneering use of color and innovative techniques established him as one of the most influential figures in modern art. His practice spanned painting, sculpture, printmaking, and later, his renowned cut-out collages. As a leader of the Fauvist movement, Matisse used bold, non-naturalistic colors and expressive brushstrokes to create works that conveyed joy and emotion. His vibrant palette and simplified forms challenged traditional ideas of representation, focusing instead on harmony and the emotional impact of art.

In the later years of his career, Matisse developed his iconic 'cut-outs,' where he used scissors to create dynamic shapes from painted paper. This revolutionary technique demonstrated his lifelong commitment to exploring the essence of form and color. Themes of nature, human figures, and interior spaces permeate his work, which celebrates beauty and vitality. Matisse’s legacy stands alongside that of Picasso, shaping the course of 20th-century art and inspiring countless generations of artists.

Henri Matisse

Nu, main gauche près de l'épaule, 1926

43.8 x 54.5 cm

Language & Currency

Henri Matisse