| The Open Window | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Artist | Henri Matisse |
| Year | 1905 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Location | National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. |
| Dimensions | 21 3⁄4 in × 18 1⁄8 in |
| 55.3 cm × 46 cm | |
| Famous Paintings by Henri Matisse | |
| L’Atelier Rouge, 1911 | |
| The Conversation, 1912 | |
| Woman Reading, 1894 | |
| The Dance, 1909 | |
| The Snail, 1953 | |
| Green Stripe, 1905 | |
| Beasts of the Sea, 1950 | |
| The Open Window, 1905 | |
| Woman with a Hat, 1905 |
The Open Window is one of Matisse’s most famous paintings. It is an oil on canvas that was painted in 1905. This is an interesting depiction featuring an open window, out of which one can see several sailboats on the water. This is what Matisse used to see from his apartment window which overlooked the Southern Coast of France.
Style
The style of this painting is technically known as the Fauvist style. This style is synonymous with Henri Matisse as during the period 1900 to 1909 he painted several paintings in this style. This style is very vibrant, with expressive brushwork and brilliant colors.
Special Qualities and Techniques
Matisse made use of pairs complements, that is, the use of two colors that bring out the best of one another in a striking manner. These interesting combinations generate a visual vibration and greatly enhance the effects of light.