The artwork entitled “Woman holding umbrella” is a creation by the eminent artist Henri Matisse, dated to the year 1919. This piece is categorized within the Post-Impressionism movement and is considered to be a genre painting, a form of art depicting scenes of everyday life.
The artwork presents a woman seen from behind, holding a large umbrella, which opens towards the top left corner of the composition, parallel to the edge of the canvas. She is seated on a chair, her posture upright and poised, as she gazes outward beyond the confines of the artwork. Her attire features a dress adorned with a lively floral pattern, which provides a contrast to the solid colors around her.
Matisse’s use of color and form aligns with the Post-Impressionistic tendency to emphasize these elements over the accurate representation found in naturalism. The backdrop features a seaside landscape, incorporating palm trees and a balustrade overlooking the water, elements that evoke a tranquil, leisurely setting. The indoors is suggested by the sliver of a blue shutter on the left, conveying the indoor-outdoor duality of the scene. The execution of the figures and objects, while not highly detailed, conveys a sense of warmth and light, characteristic of Matisse’s style during this period.