Les Gorges du Loup
1920/1925
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
overall: 50.2 x 60.9 cm (19 3/4 x 24 in.) framed: 66.6 x 77.4 x 6.9 cm (26 1/4 x 30 1/2 x 2 11/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Department
CMC
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Chester Dale Collection
Accession Number
1963.10.166
Art Historical Context
Henri Matisse’s *Les Gorges du Loup* captures the dramatic landscape of the Loup River gorge in southern France. Painted in oil on canvas between 1920 and 1925, the modestly sized work reflects Matisse deep engagement with the Mediterranean light and terrain during his years based in Nice. The medium allowed him to layer rich, luminous colors that convey both the rugged cliffs and the vibrant atmosphere of the region. By the 1920s Matisse had moved beyond his earlier Fauvist experiments, yet he retained a bold approach to color and simplified form. This landscape demonstrates his continued in...
About the Artist
Henri Matisse · 1869–1954
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was a French painter, draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and the greatest colorist of his era. Born in Le Cateau-Cambresis in northern France, Matisse initially studied law before discovering his passion for art during a period of convalescence at age 20. He became the leading figure of F...