Matisse’s Participation in “The Van Gogh Art Furniture Club” (II)

During his second visit, Matisse decided to paint the three-digit monumental canvas with only stylized arabesque patterns, creating fluid and graceful outlines, and to recreate Baudelaire’s lines, “là, tout n’est qu’ordre et beauté,” in the decorative contrasting color “Le Luxe.”

Matisse gives us a modern Aphrodite rising from the sea, erotic and narcissistic, standing above the shore while a maid sweeps her feet and another lady offers her flowers. The figures and background are situated within areas of vibrant color and stripes, giving a paper-cut effect. The canvas is vertical.