“The Study of Gustave Moreau” is an artwork by Henri Matisse, created between 1894 and 1895. This work is an exemplar of Realism and serves as a sketch and study. It measures 65 by 81 centimeters and currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork depicts an interior scene that includes a nude female model standing on a platform, which suggests an artist’s studio setting. To the left, a man is seated before an easel, presumably engrossed in the process of capturing the model’s form on his canvas. This figure is likely representing the artist at work. There is also another individual to the far right, seated as well, though their activity is less discernible. The palette is fairly subdued, relying on a range of earth tones that contribute to the somber mood of the scene. The treatment of light and shadow is gentle, creating a naturalistic atmosphere appropriate for the study of form and figure typical to an artist’s atelier. Overall, the composition is one that celebrates the study of art, the human form, and the environment in which artistic creation takes place.
