Dance (II) by Henri Matisse
Title: Dance (II)
Artist: Henri Matisse
Size: 260 x 391 cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Commission and Concept
In 1908, Russian collector Sergey Shchukin commissioned Henri Matisse to create three large panels representing dance, music, and swimming. The latter was never executed, but "Music" and especially "The Dance" became declarations of Matisse’s genius. Shchukin planned to decorate the hall of his Moscow mansion with these paintings, marking Matisse’s first major commission — a turning point that freed him from financial hardship.
Inspiration Behind the Masterpiece
A major source of inspiration for Matisse was the performance of Isadora Duncan, who broke away from the formal ballet school and filled dance with passion, emotion, and freedom. Matisse’s visit to the cabaret “Moulin de La Galette,” where he saw the Farandole (a Provençal folk dance), also contributed to the creation of this vivid and emotional panel.
Visual Composition and Technique
Matisse kept his technical means to a minimum in this work — the azure sky, the emerald green of the hill, and the flaming red of the bodies. The figures are simplified and generalized, conveying emotion through color and rhythm rather than detail. As the artist famously said, “I do not paint women, I paint pictures.” Similarly, in "Dance", Matisse does not paint individual dancers — he paints the dance itself. The nude figures appear primitive and pure, embodying the universal rhythm of life. The five figures join hands, whirling in a frenzied motion, forming a circle of energy that seems ready to leap off the canvas.
Reception and Reaction
When "The Dance" was exhibited at the Salon in 1911, it caused an uproar. The passionate nudity and intense energy of the dancers shocked many viewers accustomed to classical ideals of beauty. While nudity in art was not new, this painting radiated raw ecstasy, emotion, and sensuality through just three colors — red, green, and blue. Shchukin even requested that Matisse tone down parts of the painting, but its emotional power could not be suppressed.
Matisse’s Artistic Vision
Rejecting the vagueness of Impressionism, Matisse pursued clarity and simplicity. Describing his work for Shchukin, he said: “We are committed to clarity, simplifying ideas. Integrity is our only ideal... We are talking about how to learn and, perhaps, to learn to paint in lines anew.” This statement reflects Matisse’s devotion to expressing the pure essence of movement and emotion through minimal form.
Placement and Thematic Contrast
“The Dance” was intended to hang on the ground floor of Shchukin’s mansion, radiating excitement and energy. In contrast, its companion piece, "Music", was meant to bring calmness to the second floor with its meditative tone. Both works used the same three colors and featured five figures, but while “Dance” depicts unity and rhythm, “Music” conveys introspection and serenity. Shchukin also envisioned a third panel depicting leisure and swimming for the top floor, though it was never realized.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Henri Matisse’s "Dance (II)" stands as one of the most captivating and evocative works in modern art. Through simplified forms and bold colors, Matisse captured the very essence of movement and emotion. The painting celebrates the freedom and vitality of the human spirit, inviting viewers to share in its rhythm and joy. “Dance” remains a timeless testament to art’s power to express the universal pulse of life.
