Fred Lipp brought three framed copies of Matisse drawings in to our art class this week and set them on my work table. He called them really fine examples of minimal maximal drawings. Matisse is indeed the master. With deceptively simple line drawings he creates an immense amount of volume along with expression.
These three self portraits demonstrate Matisse’s understanding of Cezanne’s use of space and all carry on from “The Watchmaker“. His understanding of these principles allows him to knock you out with amazing composition. The forms not only occupy the space they animate the space and the environment animates the form. They are close to sculptural. You can almost encircle the figure with your gaze.
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