The artwork “Girl Reading, Vase of Flowers” was created by Henri Matisse in 1922, during the period associated with the Fauvism art movement. It is considered to be a genre painting, a category depicting scenes of everyday life.
In the artwork, we observe a figure presumed to be a young woman engaged in reading, with her left elbow rested on a surface, presumably a table, and her hand supporting her head. She wears a striped garment with yellow and white hues and a necklace adding a subtle detail to her attire. The subject’s gaze is directed downward towards an open book, which suggests a moment of contemplation or absorption in the literary content. The book itself lies flat on the table, indicating its active use.
Beside the woman, a vase filled with an assortment of flowers stands out. The vase and flowers are depicted with a series of brisk, expressive brushstrokes common to Fauvist works, showcasing a range of colors including reds, pinks, whites, and greens. These lively colors infuse the scene with vibrancy and stand in pleasing contrast to the more subdued tones of the background and the figure’s clothing.
The backdrop comprises vertical stripes in a variety of shades, including red, yellow, and beige, lending a strong sense of rhythm and depth to the composition. The juxtaposition of vertical lines alongside the horizontal form of the table and the soft curves of the figure’s body and attire creates a rich interplay of geometric forms.
Overall, Matisse’s treatment of the scene provides a snapshot of tranquil domesticity, rendered with a characteristic Fauvist palette and a gentle, yet spirited, sense of expressionism that invites the viewer into this serene and introspective moment.
