Little Aurore (Petite Aurore)

Art Historical Context

Henri Matisse's *Little Aurore (Petite Aurore)*, created in 1923, the artist's masterful shift toward intimate portraiture in print form. This lithograph on delicate china paper depicts a young subject with Matisse's signature simplified forms and fluid lines, hallmarks of his post-Fauvist style. By the early 1920s, after years of bold color experiments, Matisse had settled into a phase of serene elegance, often working in Nice, France, where he explored the human figure with graceful economy. Lithography suited Matisse perfectly, allowing the greasy crayon to produce painterly effects akin to his drawings—soft tonal gradations and expressive contours on the thin, translucent china paper, which enhances the work's luminosity and intimacy. Measuring just 13 x 20.1 cm, this modest image invites close viewing, evoking tenderness in its portrayal of "Little Aurore," possibly a child or model from Matisse's circle. A generous gift from John and Evelyn Nef to the National Gallery of Art, this print exemplifies Matisse's innovative printmaking during a prolific period. It bridges his painting legacy with accessible multiples, making his modernist vision available to wider audiences and highlighting lithography's role in early 20th-century art dissemination.

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...