The artwork “Blue Nude (IV)”, created by Henri Matisse in 1952, stands as a testament to the innovation of the artist’s later years. Crafted from gouache on paper, cut and pasted, and finished with charcoal on white paper, the piece is a representation of the nude genre and aligns with the Abstract Expressionist movement. Measuring 40 1/2 x 29 1/8 inches (103 x 74 cm), this work can be found at the Musee Matisse in Nice-Cimiez.
As for the artwork itself, it is characterized by its bold, vivid blue forms set against a stark white backdrop. Matisse has expertly utilized the technique of ‘cut-outs’, where painted paper is cut and arranged to create the composition. The figure in the artwork is abstracted and simplified into essential shapes, retaining the human form’s curves and angles, yet it is reinterpreted in a non-representational style that emphasizes flatness and the interplay of color and form. The use of blue is particularly striking, suggesting depth and contour through its various shades and cut shapes. The charcoal lines contribute texture and slight detail to the work, offering a counterpoint to the large expanses of unmodulated color. Matisse’s confident use of cutting directly into color evokes a sense of immediacy and boldness, embodying the innovative spirit that defined the latter part of his artistic career.
