Large Reclining
Nude
by
Henri Matisse
A photographic record
of his development of
the painting
Henri Matisse was one of the most prolific and influential
artists of the 20th century. In 1935, Matisse took the unusual
step of documenting the creation of his painting, Large
Reclining Nude, informally known as Pink Nude, from start to
finish through photographs. This process captured successive
stages of the image as it evolved over a five-month period.
It was a complex piece, which moved from a more illusionistic
representation of a nude figure to a one featuring flat shapes
and broad geometric patterns. The photographs also show
how Matisse sometimes pinned paper to the canvas to make
temporary, easily changed modifications.
Matisse sent this series of 22 photos of Large Reclining Nude to his
long-time patron Etta Cone in Baltimore. Etta and her sister, Dr. Claribel
Cone, had supported Matisse since the beginning of his career thirty
years earlier and purchased many of his works. Matisse wrote to Etta
on September 19, 1935: “I hope that these different works give you a
little amusement - and my goal will be realized.” Thrilled to witness the
creative process of her favorite artist, Etta added the finished painting
to her collection.
• Visit the Jewish Museum site for a breakdown of the sequence
looking specifically at changes to the figure, the room, the patterns,
etc. with an audio discussion of Matisse and his process.