The artwork titled “Three Sisters and The Rose Marble Table,” created by Henri Matisse in 1917, belongs to the portrait genre. Matisse, known for his innovative use of color and form, presents the figures in a stylised manner which is characteristic of his approach to portraiture.
In the artwork, there are three women depicted against a backdrop that consists of discernible but subdued tones. The composition is centered around the trio, with one woman seated at a marble table and the remaining two standing closely behind her. The seated woman leans her head on one hand, suggesting a relaxed or contemplative posture, while the standing figures direct their gaze toward the viewer. The person in the foreground is adorned with a patterned blouse, providing a contrast of intricate detail against the more solid colors of her companions’ attire. Splashes of color in their cheeks suggest liveliness amidst their otherwise calm demeanor. Matisse’s use of flat planes of color and bold outlines contributes to the simplified, yet expressive quality of the figures and the surrounding setting. Overall, the artwork communicates an intimate, serene atmosphere, captured by Matisse’s distinct modernist style.
