Icarus by Henri Matisse (1947)
What we learned-
- Matisse spear-headed the artist movement called Fauvism, which translates in English (from French) to “wild beasts.”
- In the latter years of his life, Matisse moved from his previous medium of painting to paper cuttings (created in a jazz-like style) as a result of his severe arthritis. He had assistants cut pieces for him to arrange on the picture plane.
- This picture tells the story of Icarus who, according to Greek mythology, attempted to escape Crete by flying with homemade wax wings only to fly too close to the sun where his wings melted and he met his end.
Discussion Questions:
- Despite not giving Icarus a face, what do you think Matisse wanted us to interpret as Icarus’ feeling in this work?
- Is a work without detail (only the major symbols) still effective? Is it still art?
