Reader on a Black Background

Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse (French, 1869-1954): Reader on a Black Background, 1918 (Oil on canvas) - Matisse, trained at École de Paris, was identified with Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Les Fauves… A lover of all art, he immersed himself in the work of his fellow painters, and often got himself into debt buying the work of other artists…

His work, characterized as “fauvre,” or wild, often met with harsh criticism, which made it hard for him to provide for his family. Also, he had loving followers, including Gertrude Stein and her family. Throughout the years of 1907-1911, his friends organized and financed an art school, Academie Matisse, in which Matisse could instruct young artists…