Lena Rivera
Henri Matisse's 'Dance' is a large decorative panel painting made in 1910 at the request of Russian businessman and art collector Sergei Shchukin. The painting is considered a key point in the artist's career and the development of modern painting. It is characterised by its simplicity and energy, depicting five dancing figures in a strong red, set against a simplified green landscape and deep blue sky. The painting caused a scandal when it was first exhibited due to its bold aesthetic choices, including the depiction of nude figures and crudely applied colours, which gave the artwork a primitive character. 'Dance' currently resides in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg alongside its companion piece, 'Music'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Henri Matisse |
| Year | 1910 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 230 x 391 cm |
| Location | Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg |
| Subject | Five dancing figures in a circle, holding hands, with a simplified green landscape and deep blue sky as a backdrop |
| Style | Fauvist, Primitive, Childlike |
| Colours | Red, green, blue, black |
| Theme | Dance, music, emotion, freedom, joy |
| Inspiration | Field workers dancing on a beach in Southern France, William Blake's "Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing", dancers at the Moulin de la Galette |
| Companion Piece | "Music" |
| Patron | Sergei Shchukin |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's primitive style
Henri Matisse's "Dance" is characterised by its primitive style, which caused a scandal in the 1910 art salons. The painting's primitive character was seen by some viewers as barbaric. This perception was influenced by the audacious nude figures and crudely applied colours, which created an intense contrast.
Matisse's style in "Dance" is a departure from "Frenchman craftsmanship", instead drawing inspiration from primitivism and African art. The figures in the painting are depicted with clumsy, formless, and unrestricted movements, resembling bean bag dolls. This style reflects the artist's interest in returning to the essence of nature and communion, a theme shared by the Fauves.
Matisse's use of colour in "Dance" is characteristic of Fauvism, with intense warm colours set against a cool blue-green background. The colours red, blue, and green are used to depict the revelry, with the red silhouettes outlined against the blue and green background. This colour palette contributes to the emotional liberation and hedonism conveyed by the painting.
The primitive style of "Dance" extends beyond the use of colour to the depiction of the figures themselves. The crudely outlined figures recall primitivist styles, and their nakedness symbolises a rejection of modern civilisation. The subject matter of figures communing within a virgin landscape further emphasises the reunification with nature that Matisse sought to express.
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The dancers' nude figures
Henri Matisse's painting "Dance" features five nude figures in a circle, holding hands and dancing. The figures are painted in bold red with strong black outlines, set against a simplified green landscape and a deep blue sky. The painting is characterised by its simplicity and energy, with the dancers' bodies arching and curving to create a sense of movement and motion. The nude figures were a source of controversy when the painting was first exhibited, with some accusing Matisse of having a mental illness. However, Matisse defended his choice, arguing that the role of the artist is to express emotion rather than create a realistic depiction.
The dancers' nude bodies and the use of a limited colour palette reflect Matisse's interest in primitivism and African art. The red figures contrast with the cool blue-green background, conveying a sense of emotional liberation and hedonism. The figures' simplified body parts and uniform skin tone make them appear non-binary, further emphasising the primitive and expressive nature of the work.
Matisse's inspiration for "Dance" came from several sources. He was fascinated by the popular dancing he observed at the Moulin de la Galette in Paris, which contrasted with more formal types of dance such as ballet. He also drew inspiration from a watercolour painting by William Blake, titled "Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing", which features a similar circular formation of joyous figures. Additionally, Matisse wanted to recreate the sensations of movement found in Russian composer Igor Stravinsky's music, specifically the "Dance of the Young Girls" from his 1913 work "The Rite of Spring".
The painting is often considered a key point in Matisse's career and the development of modern painting. It reflects his maturity as an artist and his desire to express emotion and capture the joy and freedom of dancing. "Dance" is now recognised as an emblem of modern art, with its bold and spirited style influencing countless artists who followed.
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The use of colour
Henri Matisse's "Dance" is characterised by its bold use of colour, with the five dancing figures painted in strong red, set against a simplified green landscape and a deep blue sky. The painting reflects Matisse's fascination with primitive art and uses a classic Fauvist colour palette, with intense warm colours against a cool blue-green background. This colour combination conveys a sense of emotional liberation and hedonism.
The red dancers stand out against the cooler background, creating a sense of energy and movement. The deep ultramarine blue of the sky and the bright green of the grass enhance the feeling of ecstasy and freedom associated with the dancing figures. The strong black outlines of the figures further emphasise their bold red colour, adding to the sense of innocence and childlike joy that the painting evokes.
Matisse's use of colour in "Dance" caused quite a scandal when it was first exhibited, with critics calling his work ""crude", "barbaric", and even "demonic". The artist, however, defended his choices, arguing that the role of the artist is to express emotion using the simplest means, rather than creating a realistic representation of reality.
The colour palette of "Dance" is also seen in its preliminary version, "Dance I", which resides at MoMA in New York. This earlier work uses paler colours and less detail, with pink figures instead of the bold red of the final version. This evolution of the colour palette demonstrates Matisse's experimentation and refinement of his artistic vision.
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The painting's circular composition
Henri Matisse's 1910 painting "Dance" (or "La Danse") is known for its circular composition, with five dancing figures holding hands in a circle. The figures' curved bodies and joined hands give the painting a sense of movement and motion, with their circular shape contrasting with the straight lines of the picture frame. The two dancers in the centre are separated by a break in the circle, with their hands parted, creating a sense of tension or an invitation for the viewer to join in.
The circular composition of "Dance" was inspired by several sources, including a watercolour painting by Romanticist William Blake, titled "Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing" (1786), which features a similar circle of joyous figures. Matisse was also influenced by his observations of popular dancing at the Moulin de la Galette in Paris, which contrasted with more formal styles such as ballet. The round dance of fishermen that he witnessed in the Southern French city of Collioure also inspired the painting's circular arrangement.
The circular composition of "Dance" is further emphasised by the use of colour and space. The figures are set against a simplified green landscape and a deep blue sky, with the endless sky and rounded shapes creating a sense of energy and movement. The uniform tan skin of the figures and the bold red hues of their bodies also contribute to the sense of unity and circular motion.
Matisse's use of spatial ambiguity in "Dance" explores the tension between the illusion of depth and the acknowledgment of the flatness of the canvas. The figures' arched backs and curved shapes create a sense of depth and movement within the circular composition, while the flat colours and simplified forms emphasise the two-dimensional nature of the painting. This combination of depth and flatness adds to the dynamic and energetic feel of the composition.
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The painting's historical importance
Henri Matisse's 1910 painting 'Dance' is of great historical importance, particularly in the development of modern painting and the Fauvist movement. It is considered a "key point" in Matisse's career and the evolution of modern painting.
'Dance' was commissioned by the famous Russian collector Sergei Shchukin, a close friend and long-time admirer of the artist. Shchukin requested two paintings to hang in his Moscow mansion, with the themes of action, passion and contemplation. The painting was exhibited at the Autumn Salon in Paris in 1910, causing a scandal due to its depiction of nude figures. Some critics accused Matisse of mental illness, and the work strained his relationship with Shchukin. However, the artist vehemently defended his choices, arguing for the expression of emotion over a realistic rendition of reality.
The painting's composition and style reflect Matisse's fascination with dance, particularly popular dancing, and his interest in exploring movement and space. The dancers are portrayed in a childlike, simplistic style, with bold colours and strong outlines, creating a sense of energy and freedom. The use of spatial ambiguity and the break in the circle formed by the dancers contribute to the painting's emotional character and sense of movement.
'Dance' also holds historical significance as a reflection of the time period's artistic shift. Matisse argued that the invention of photography had changed the role of art, freeing it to explore more primordial, expressive, and deep-rooted themes. This perspective influenced his artistic choices in 'Dance', where he prioritised emotion and simplicity over intricate detail.
Additionally, 'Dance' is recognised as an emblem of modern art, leaving a lasting mark on 20th-century art. It embodies the emancipation from traditional conventions of representation, with its bold colours, crude application, and primitive character. The painting's impact extended beyond its time, paving the way for countless artists who followed.
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Frequently asked questions
Matisse's fascination with dance and movement, as well as his interest in the Moulin de la Galette in Paris, inspired him to paint 'Dance'. The painting was commissioned by Russian businessman and art collector Sergei Shchukin in 1909, who wanted two large decorative panels to hang in his mansion in Moscow.
'Dance' is considered a key point in Matisse's career and in the development of modern painting. The painting embodies the emancipation from traditional conventions of representation in Western art. It is characterised by its simplicity, energy, and use of bold colours.
'Dance' caused quite a scandal when it was first exhibited at the Autumn Salon in Paris due to Matisse's choice to depict the dancers in the nude. The artwork was considered crude, menacing, and even barbaric by critics. Some even accused Matisse of having a mental illness.
'Dance' depicts five dancing figures in bold red with strong black outlines, set against a simplified green landscape and a deep blue sky. The figures are in a circular formation, holding hands, and seem to be in a trance as they whirl around in space.
