Henri Matisse (Le Cateau-Cambrésis 1869 – Nice 1954)
was a French artist who is considered one of the pioneers of modern painting. He originally studied law, but turned to art after falling ill. Matisse developed a lively, colourful visual language that was particularly evident in his paintings and later in his famous cut-outs. He was a co-founder of the Fauves, a movement that experimented with intense colours and expressive forms. Over the course of his career, his style evolved from expressive brushwork to a clearer, more decorative design. Matisse left behind a diverse body of work that includes painting, graphic art, sculpture and stage design. He died in Nice in 1954.