The artwork “Nono Lebasque” was created by the renowned artist Henri Matisse in the year 1908. As a significant contributor to the Fauvism art movement, Matisse presented a portrait that exemplifies the movement’s stylistic tendencies, characterized by strong colors and a degree of abstraction. Portraiture, as the genre of this work, provided Matisse with a vehicle to explore the expressive possibilities of color and form.
Regarding the artwork itself, “Nono Lebasque” presents a portrait of a figure set against a deep blue backdrop, with the name “NO” inscribed on the right edge, possibly referencing the subject’s name. The choice of colors is vivid, with a green-tinted skin tone and striking red lips that stand out, reflecting the Fauvist approach to using non-naturalistic colors and emphasizing painterly qualities over representational accuracy. The subject wears a dark green garment and is adorned with a yellow flower and a decorative necklace, both of which add vivid contrast to the composition.
Matisse’s brushwork is visible and contributes to the artwork’s textural quality, while the portrait’s expression retains a certain simplicity, typical of Fauvist portraiture where emotion is often conveyed through color and shape rather than realistic depiction.
