Jack Flam highlights the above mentioned Matisse painting in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal (page P12) and makes the audacious claim that it was truly the beginning of 20th century art. He cites a few facts, they include (but not limited to); the numerous studies made for this piece, the full size cartoon, its size (6 x 8 feet), color and rhythm. There is certainly enough knowledge about this painting to warrant serious thought and I thank Mr. Flam for that, but I don’t agree with his proclamation. <\/p>\n
“Le Bonheur” certainly has a great provenance – previously owned by Leo and Gertrude Stein – where it was seen by practically every artist who was in Paris including Kandinsky and Picasso. After the Steins split – it landed eventually in the Barnes collection\/foundation (this is in Philadelphia – and if you follow the art world at all – I assume you know of the Barnes foundation). The painting really wasn’t seem by the public until the Barnes Collection went on tour in the mid 90’s – and really by then the genie had been out of the bottle since the early 20th century.<\/p>\n
It’s debut at the Salon des Independants was the only image Matisse presented at that show – and he always framed to image to be seen as a masterwork – and historically it is a shocking painting due to its color use and rhythmic lines. Of course the painting was panned by the press at the time – as was all of impressionist artwork. So that alone can’t be the reason for it’s greatness. It is a masterpiece of modern art – make no bones about it. I just don’t see it as the flashpoint of 20th century art – I also don’t know what would be. Some might suggest that it would be Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignion” but I’m not sure I would accept that either.<\/p>\n
I’m thinking that “Le Bonheur” is a spectacular painting by a true genius – the trouble is – calling it the best is like trying to decide who invented rock and roll. So many people were around and so many great ideas were swirling around – we as viewers (or listeners) can only look and learn.<\/p>\n
I do believe that there is some serious thought yet to be done in the Matisse versus Picasso vein. However that writer is not me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jack Flam highlights the above mentioned Matisse painting in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal (page P12) and makes the audacious claim that it was truly the beginning of 20th century art. He cites a few facts, they include (but not limited to); the numerous studies made for this piece, the full size cartoon, its size (6 x 8 feet), color and rhythm. There is certainly enough knowledge about this painting to warrant serious thought and I thank Mr. Flam for that, but I don’t agree with his proclamation. “Le Bonheur” certainly has a great provenance – previously owned by Leo and…<\/p>\n