Etude de fruits et de feuilles de néflier (Study of medlar fruits and leaves), 1944; Black Conté crayon on paper; Signed and dated 'H Matisse 44' lower right; With original Certificate of authenticity from Archives Matisse; Size - 16 1/2 x 12 1/2", Frame 28 x 23 1/2"; Framed with a black wood frame, floated and matted with acid free white mats, black wood fillet, and UV conservation clear glass; Provenance, Exhibition History, and Price are Available On Request!
"What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.” – Henri Matisse
Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse (1869 – 1954) was a French artist who was known for both his use of colour and his original draughtsmanship. He is commonly regarded, along with Pablo Picasso, as one of the twentieth century’s greatest artists who redefined the visual arts of painting and sculpture. Although he was initially labelled a Fauve (wild beast), by the 1920s he was increasingly being hailed as a leader in the classical tradition of French painting. His artistic creation spanned over a half-century, and he is now considered a leading figure in the modern art movement.
Matisse often drew variations of leaves that were growing in his own garden as well as his publisher friend, Teriade. The choice of medium was pencil, Conté crayon, or pen and ink on paper and the drawings were executed with a minimum of line in order to capture the essential character of the subject. Matisse recognized that the drawing of a line expressed his emotions, which could then be translated and integrated into his composition. The size and proportions of the support medium was adapted to realize a design of absolute elegance and clarity. The white space of the field against the lined botanical drawings reinforced the view that Matisse saw these works of art as "generators of light."
"Etude de fruits et de feuilles de néflier (Study of medlar fruits and leaves)," 1944 is a wonderful original drawing of medlar fruits and leaves. Mespilus germanica known as medlar, is a fruiting tree that has been cultivated since Roman times. The medlar fruit is usually harvested in the winter and the fruit is sweetest after ripening and further undergoing a softening referred to as bletting. The flesh taste is similar to an apple puree with hints of citrus, date, and apricot. This drawing is instantly recognized as being from the hand of Matisse, as it is executed in his classic loose drawing style. One only need to look at the leaves and fruit to see Matisse's great economy of lines, that form a wonderfully balanced composition. The use of contour and the ease of the movement are used in order to convey both a sense of softness and depth. The resulting composition is relaxed and calm, and the viewers eyes slowly drift across the sheet, finding refugee in the use of negative space. "Etude de fruits et de feuilles de néflier" is a spectacular, large, rare, and beautiful drawing by Henri Matisse and would be a great addition to any art collection!
Exhibited:
Le Cateau-Cambrésis, Musée Matisse, Matisse et l’arbre, October
2003-January 2004, p. 131 (illustrated)
Pontoise, Musée Tavet-Delacour, Henri Matisse, fleurs, feuillages et
fruits, May-June 2005, p. 39, no. 28 (illustrated)
Nice, Musée Matisse, Cinématisse, 2019
Georges Matisse has confirmed the authenticity of this work.