09/18/2026
We learned about the life and art of French painter Henri Matisse by watching, “Becoming Matisse”, a 2020 BBC film told by his great-granddaughter, Sophie Matisse.
With societal and familial pressure to become a lawyer, he earned his law degree, but later became ill with appendicitis. During his recovery his mother gave him a box set of paints, this started his creative path. He began painting at 21 and never looked back becoming the first avant-garde artist of the 20th century. Throughout his life he never let ridicule from the public or critics stop him from discovering what was possible with painting. Sophie also attributes his success to his supportive wife Amelie and their children.
In his 70’s Matisse adapted to physical limitations by “drawing with scissors” producing brightly colored paper cut-outs. What he created at this time are some of his most famous works.
More to come on how we used inspiration from Matisse cut-outs!
[ID: image collage, top photo is the words “Becoming Matisse” in black cursive letters with painted flowers in the background. Bottom left photo is a painting titled, “Self-portrait in a Striped T-shirt” from 1906. He has a pale complexion, brownish red hair, and beard. The background in the painting has white and blue brushstrokes. Bottom right photo is a photograph of Matisse sitting in a wheelchair in his studio with colorful paper cut outs all over the floor. A woman sits to his left.]
