“The Window,” an artwork by Henri Matisse created in 1916, is an oil on canvas piece embodying the characteristics of Expressionism. With dimensions of 146.1 x 116.8 cm, this interior genre work is part of the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Michigan, United States.
The artwork presents a view of an interior space with a central focus on a window. The composition is rendered in a vibrant color palette, typical of Matisse’s style, featuring bold blues, greens and whites. A round wooden table positioned in the foreground displays a vase of blue flowers which catch the viewer’s attention. The background is dominated by the titular window, which is partially covered by curtains that bear patterns echoed in the oriental rug beneath. The interior is also furnished with chairs, hinting at domestic comfort, but the representation forgoes strict perspective, emphasizing color, shape, and the emotional evocation of space. Forms are simplified and the brushstroke is loose and expressive, conveying less a literal depiction of the room than an emotional interpretation of it. Matisse’s interest in decorative elements and the interplay of interior and exterior light is evident in the work, reflecting his contribution to the Expressionist movement and its exploration of inner feelings over realistic representation.
