Henri Matisse | The Models

For Henri Matisse (1869-1954)🎨, his models were more than muses; they were partners in his work and guides on the ever-shifting paths to artistic expression.

He would often work with one model for an extensive period of time, beginning in 1916 with Italian model Laurette, sometimes spelled Lorette, who posed for nearly 50 paintings in the year after they met.

Matisse's longest continuous relationship was with Lydia Delectorskaya, a Russian woman who later become his secretary, studio manager and nurse to his sick wife.

Henri Matisse | Windows series

Addio | Nâzım Hikmet⏭

L'uomo dice alla donna: ti amo,

come se stringessi tra le palme il mio cuore,

simile a scheggia di vetro che m'insanguina le dita,

quando lo spezzo follemente.

La donna dice all'uomo:

ho guardato nei tuoi occhi,

nel mio cuore,

Henri Matisse's 148th Birthday

Today, Dec. 31, is the 148th anniversary of the birth of French painter🎨, printmaker and sculptor, Henri Matisse🎨, in full Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse, (born December 31, 1869, Le Cateau, Picardy, France - died November 3, 1954, Nice), artist often regarded as the most important French painter🎨 of the 20th century.