Matisse, Henry. Still Life with a blue tablecloth Hermitage ~ part 08

Description of the painting "Still Life" by Henri Matisse

In 1909 Henri Matisse, the founder and devoted follower of Fauvism, painted one of his finest paintings. "Still Life with a Blue Tablecloth" is an original, complete, harmonious panel.

The composition of the still life is not characterized by object variety. A colorful cloth is lowered from the wall onto a horizontal solid surface. The pattern is recognizable from other paintings by Matisse. But as an adherent of Fauvism, he does not forget to change the palette dramatically. Here the tablecloth is azure with rich, tranquil splashes of blue. The multidimensionality of the space is faintly marked, allowing the emphasis to be placed on the overall impression of the painter’s conveyed emotions.

On the table there are three small objects: a shining transparent decanter of bright bottle color; very close by - a glass white vase filled with ripe fruit; a little further away - a large brown coffee pot. You can sense the artist’s affection for the simple objects depicted. The patterned tablecloth shown is considered his favorite, and the tableware delights us with its figurative beauty and reflections of light. An original departure from classical painting is the absence of shadows in the objects.

Bright contrasts, amazingly juicy colors, rhythmic oriental fabric ornaments - all this is designed to evoke in the viewer a sense of the richness of life. In difficult times, when the painter had to create, society especially needed a new joy, hope and rest from all the gloomy, oppressive, frightening. Matisse’s still lifes turned out to be such a lifesaver.

"Still Life with a Blue Tablecloth" gives a state of serene contemplation, childlike lightness and purity of perception. The unpretentious pattern of the blue tablecloth, amusing, energetic, indistinct, captures the viewer’s attention and seems to remind him that life is just a game - colorful and joyful.