“View of Notre Dame” is an artwork by Henri Matisse, created in 1914. This piece embodies elements of the Cubism and Expressionism art movements and is classified as an interior genre painting. Its dimensions are 147.3 x 94.3 cm. Presently, the artwork is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) located in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork captures the essence of the view from within an interior space looking out towards the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. The approach Matisse employs is far from traditional representation; instead, he utilizes a cubist technique, segmenting the view into geometric forms that seem to fracture and reinterpret the space. The palette is predominantly in shades of blue, with stark contrasts created by the black lines that define forms and spaces, and by the notable use of a single green hue which stands out against the blue. The composition is balanced yet dynamic, with lines drawing the eye across the canvas and the use of color creating depth. The interior elements, such as the window, become integral to the fragmented view Matisse presents, conveying both the physical reality of the space and an emotional response to the scene beyond the confines of the room.
