Matisse - An Art of 'Purity and Serenity'

Vase of Irises by Henri Matisse, at the Hermitage  

  "What I dream of is an art of balance, 
of purity and serenity, 
devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter,
The terrace, St. Tropez, Henri Matisse 1904

  an art which could be for every mental worker,
 for the businessman as well as the man of letters, 

 for example, 
a soothing, calming influence on the mind, 
something like a good armchair 
which provides relaxation 
from physical fatigue."

 -  Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse cutout

 Matisse's words apply to gardens of serenity as well. We aim for a similar result - to be a 'soothing, calming influence on the mind'.

 Matisse succeeded beautifully in his goal.. his art still brings us joy and is 'something like a good armchair'. 

 His love of nature shines vividly in his famous collage 'cutouts', done at the end of his life, when he was bedridden. The leaves dance across the paper. Bravo, Henri!







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