Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954). Seated Nude Asleep, 1906. Ink, over graphite, on paper; 18 1/4 x 14 7/8 in. (46.5 x 37.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, 1998 (1999.363.39) © 2011 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
«Seeing the work of Henri Matisse—the French artist who experimented with different methods such as painting, printmaking, and sculpture—makes me want to know more about art in general.»
While walking through the Met's galleries recently, I came across Matisse's Seated Nude Asleep and started wondering about a particular aspect of this work: the earring. I'm curious to know whether the artist told her to keep her earring on, or if it was her decision to wear it. Whatever the case is, it definitely pops out. The woman sleeping on a chair, nude, looks so peaceful and comfortable. So many questions come to mind: Who is she? Was it cold? Since she's nude, however, there is something so interesting, delightful, and humorous about the presence of the earring. It was probably one of the first things I noticed.
The broad brushstrokes in this piece show Matisse's passion toward this woman. This is similar to what I do in my own works; I try to reveal the feeling that I have in the moment, and I try to use lines rather than color to express figures.
Evelin. (Sigh), 2013. Watercolor and black pen