The artwork “Nu Au Bord De La Mer” was created by Henri Matisse in 1909. It belongs to the genre of nude painting (nu) and is a portrayal of a female figure set against a coastal landscape. In this composition, Matisse captures the natural beauty of the human form in harmony with the serene environment.
The artwork features a nude female subject standing beside the trunk of a leafy tree, which is artistically stylized, typical of Matisse’s approach to form and space. The figure is rendered with smooth, flowing lines that suggest the softness of the flesh, while the contours of her body are outlined with deliberate strokes to give a sense of solidity and presence. She holds what appears to be a cloth or garment in her left hand. Her posture is relaxed yet poised, creating a sense of ease and naturalness.
In the background, the sea meets the horizon in a calm expanse, with a hill or land mass visible in the distance, contributing to the sense of tranquility in the scene. The sandy shore creates a visual break between the green grassy foreground and the blue water, while the sky is rendered in light blue tones that mirror the calmness of the water below.
Matisse’s palette is characterized by bold, vivid colors, and the use of contrasting hues to delineate different elements of the landscape reinforces the vibrancy of the scene. The green of the grass and tree, the blue of the sea and sky, and the pale skin tone of the figure are juxtaposed to create a dynamic interplay of color, which is a hallmark of Matisse’s style. The loose brushwork imbues the painting with a sense of immediacy and liveliness, while the overall composition emphasizes the fusion of the figure with the natural surroundings, invoking themes of beauty, simplicity, and the idyllic nature of the coastal setting.
