Open Window, Collioure, 1905, oil on canvas, private Henri Matisse (1869-1954)

The painting Open Window, Collioure by Henri Matisse is a vibrant and expressive Fauvist artwork. The scene depicts an open window overlooking a harbor, likely in Collioure, France, where Matisse spent time. Through the open wooden shutters, a bustling seascape is visible, featuring several sailboats with brightly colored sails, predominantly in shades of orange, red, and blue. These boats bob on a sea rendered with bold, impressionistic strokes of blues, purples, and pinks.
In the foreground, filling the lower part of the canvas and resting on a windowsill, are several potted plants. These plants are depicted with a similar expressive style, using a mosaic of green, yellow, and red hues to suggest foliage. The window itself is painted with thick, impasto strokes, and the shutters are a bright, almost aggressive orange, contrasting with the cooler tones of the sea and sky. The surrounding walls of the room are painted in jarring yet harmonious colors, with a rich purple on the right and a deep green and turquoise on the left, further emphasizing the Fauvist style.
The overall impression is one of intense color and light, capturing the atmosphere of a sunny day at the coast. The bold, unblended colors and loose brushwork are characteristic of Fauvism, aiming to convey emotion and sensory experience rather than strict realism. The painting is an invitation to experience the view, the light, and the feeling of being in that moment, seen through an artists subjective and intensely colorful lens.