Inspired by Matisse

Henri Matisse, one of the greatest names of art history, has unsurprisingly served as inspiration to endless contemporary artists. Broad in his choice of subject, he is well known for his unique style of painting nude figures, as well as interior scenes and abstract patterns. As one of the leaders of Fauvism, alongside André Derain, Matisse honed a style that celebrated colour and the notion of paintings being just that, rather than representations of reality. No doubt inspired by his sunny surroundings in the South of France, Matisse's paintings mirror the relaxed way of life there, making them exceedingly attractive pieces to have in your interior. Later on in his life when he was no longer able to paint, his artistic spirit was reincarnated through his bold, collage works, most notably The Sheaf and The Snail.

His artistic qualities from throughout his career have been reinterpreted by artists the world over, continuing his vision yet giving it a 21st century twist.

The fluid pencil strokes of Matisse's nudes are an example of the elegance that can be achieved in this universal genre. Whether they are simply graphite on paper or collage on canvas, the artist evokes an otherworldly quality to this most human artform. Our artists Emile Deschler and Giuseppe del Debbio have certainly captured that softness and grace in their drawings.

Something that is unmistakably Matisse will always be his lack of fear when using combining vivid colour and striking pattern, be it in his paintings or collage pieces. Continuing this style are Karina Bisch, Lionel Borla and Luigi Montanarini, who create vibrant and expressive compositions which take on a life of their own.

Meanwhile, a little more subdued and thought-provoking are his portraits and interior or still life studies. The Open Window is one of his most well known works, the epitome of Fauvism, with its visible brushstrokes and colours of Collioure. Similarly, artists such as Diane Bellier and Lusine Abrahamyan, have perfectly echoed that same spirit, the latter even including a blue nude in her artwork Me inside me.

Finally, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery… Discover Catherine Théry's humorous take on Matisse's iconic The Dance, transporting it into a Barbie world, distinctly Matisse but from a whole new perspective.

There you have it, if you're enamoured by the great Fauvist, invite a piece of his artistic vision into your interior with our Inspired by Matisse collection. You'll feel like you're in Nice in no time...