The artwork entitled “Vase of Amaryllis” was created by artist Henri Matisse in 1941. This piece is representative of the Fauvism art movement and belongs to the genre of still life. The dynamic composition and vibrant color palette exemplify the qualities that define Fauvism, and, as a still life, it depicts inanimate subjects, rendering them with emotional resonance through color and form.
The artwork showcases a bold and vivacious approach to color, a hallmark of Matisse’s style. A vase filled with blooming amaryllis flowers takes center stage, rendered with pink petals and prominent, marked stamens that capture the viewer’s eye. The vase itself is dark, creating a strong contrast with the effervescent flowers and the background, which seems to be divided into blocks of color. Beneath the vase lies an array of apples, some within reach and others scattered, contributing to a sense of plentifulness and natural abundance.
In the foreground, a bowl containing spheres that likely represent fruits, combines shades of red and green, echoing the apples’ hues and adding depth to the composition. The tabletop on which the vase and bowl rest tilts upward, a technique Matisse frequently employed to flatten the picture plane, enhancing the artwork’s pattern-like quality.
The backdrop suggests an interior setting with a glimpse of what might be a window on the left, its grid-like pattern interrupting the expanse of yellow, possibly signifying sunlight or an interior wall. Brushstrokes are visible and expressively applied, giving the artwork a sense of immediacy and the personal touch of the artist’s hand. The work as a whole vibrates with energy, the stillness of the objects juxtaposed with the liveliness of the colors and shapes, demonstrating Matisse’s virtuosity in combining emotive force with pictorial structure.
