Booklist
Gr. 9^-12. From the First Impressions Introductions to Art series, this illustrated biography surveys the life and work of Henri Matisse. The painter's experimentation and artistic development are the focus of the book, and the text often zeros in on individual paintings, though the story of the artist's life is interwoven with the study of his work. Throughout the book, reproductions of paintings, drawings, and cut-paper collages appear, some in color, some in black and white. In addition, photographs record Matisse with family, with friends, and at work, as well as showing the Chapel of the Rosary at Venice, for which he designed architectural elements, stained-glass windows, ceramic murals, and vestments. A handsome resource for art students. Carolyn Phelan
Kirkus Reviews
An articulate, attractive biography in the First Impressions series, about an artist whose paintings were as much celebrations of color as they were portraits of people and things. Although he was trained to become a lawyer, Matisse received his first box of paints at age 20 and was hooked. The brilliant colors of his early paintings made his critics label his style fauvism, but the patronage of Shchukin and a trip to Morocco helped Matisse establish his style and fascination for color. Conforming to other books in the series, this volume includes many large full- color reproductions of the artist's work, allowing readers to easily find points mentioned in the text. The writing is mature in approach, without being overly weighty, making it suitable not just for young readers, but adults with a budding interest in art. (index) (Biography. 11-14) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
