Collections: European Art: Woman in an Armchair (Femme au fauteuil)

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This image is presented as a "thumbnail" because it is protected by copyright. The Brooklyn Museum respects the rights of artists who retain the copyright to their work.

Woman in an Armchair (Femme au fauteuil)

In 1916 and 1917 Matisse devoted several small paintings to an Italian model named Laurette, whom he consistently posed in a pink armchair and green robe. This example is a study in sinuous curves—from the model’s long, dark hair to the black contours describing the fall of her robe to the wood frame of the chair. Although Laurette looks out of the picture plane in the direction of the viewer, her expression seems distant, unfocused, and meditative. Matisse has incised his signature in the upper right corner of the work, most likely using the handle of his brush.


• Artist: Henri Matisse, French, 1869-1954
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Place Made: France
• Dates: ca. 1916-1917
• Dimensions: 8 9/16 x 5 5/8 in. (21.7 x 14.3 cm) Frame: 14 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. (36.2 x 28.6 x 3.8 cm)
• Signature: Incised upper right: "Henri Matisse"
• Collections: European Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Beaux-Arts Court, North, 3rd Floor
• Accession Number: 67.24.15
• Credit Line: Bequest of Laura L. Barnes
• Image: Overall, 67.24.15.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954). Woman in an Armchair (Femme au fauteuil), ca. 1916-1917. Oil on canvas, 8 9/16 x 5 5/8 in. (21.7 x 14.3 cm) Frame: 14 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. (36.2 x 28.6 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Laura L. Barnes, 67.24.15 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.24.15.jpg)