The artwork titled “Pierre with Wooden Horse” by Henri Matisse is an oil on canvas portrait that was created in 1904. Measuring 73.5 x 60 cm, it is an exemplification of the Fauvism art movement. Currently, it is held within a private collection. The genre of this artwork is portrait, which typically emphasizes the depiction and expression of individual characters.
In the artwork, we observe a young boy to the left, identified as Pierre, garbed in a bright red outfit which vividly contrasts with the muted tones of the background. He carries a wooden horse, suggesting an aura of innocence and child’s play. Standing slightly off-center is an elegant vase with lively flowers that dominates the middle of the composition. The vase rests on a patterned tablecloth that drapes over a table, further adding a sense of domesticity to the scene. The artist’s palette is replete with bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes that imbue the scene with energy, characteristic of the Fauvist style. The overall composition features elements hinting at an interior setting, such as the framed artwork and a string instrument on the back wall, which complements the figure’s portrayal, merging representational art with the emotional and expressive use of color.
