Work

Describe the work you selected and why? How is it composed (color, tone, form, shape, space, line, surface, proposition, context, symbolism, response, etc.)

The work I chose is an oil painting called “Interior with a Young Girl (Girl Reading),” where Matisse modeled her daughter Marguerite. Because of the bright and vivid colors that Matisse used, I could feel his genuine love towards her. He wants her to be always in a cozy room decorated with beautiful flowers; he doesn't want her to go through any hardships or pain. This, I think, is why the painting itself creates a calm and peaceful ambience.

Matisse’s paintings were influenced by post-impressionists including Van Gogh, who began to use expressive brushstrokes with vivid colors. This work of Matisse intrigued me with the beautiful palette of bright colors that creates warm ambience. He didn’t use realistic colors here; the colors were chosen based on emotion.