Drawing Detail
Two Studies of a Woman's HeadArtist: Henri Matisse
Medium: Drawings, Lead pencil, 23.7x31.5 cm
Date: 1935
Genre: Genre Painting
Source: Gift of Lydia Delectorskaya, 1968
"I depend totally on the model, whom I study, not forcing on her any pose, then I capture her in the pose which best reflects her essence", said Matisse. Studying and thinking, in each drawing he found his own rhythm. The gloomy weariness of the inward-looking eyes determine the model's mood as understood by the artist. Line is a very sensitive instrument, totally obedient to the will and feelings of the master, who uses it decisively to capture the rather crude contour of the face, the sense of inner gloom.