Tag: painting

Matisse

I suspect most people walk into a room, glance around, and when they find nothing threatening nor astonishing, begin to concentrate on whatever purpose at hand. I myself tend to ignore most wall decorations out of rush and habit. And, after all, paintings are really just simple wall decorations.

That’s why I like Matisse. Unlike artists who wish to make us look, try to change our character, to disturb the bourgeois, or to follow some obscure vision, Matisse accepts being a relaxing wall decoration. A beautiful and amazing wall decoration, to be sure, but no more than that.

Matisse is no simple artist. His pictures do reward long and deep study. There is always nuance in the deceptively simple presentations. But if you do not feel the nuance, his paintings are also just lovely background. A lot like nature itself .

I admit a preference for bold colors and strong drawing which he consistently delivers. Blended subtlety must be left for others. His work is usually joyful, exuberant, and makes one smile when it is noticed .

In a world of acid religions, societies, and politics, it is refreshing to contemplate his world of “lux, calme, et volupte.”