Wild Beasts and Color - Fauvism
Neuroscientifically, Matisse’s paintings work like a black and white photograph. Although the photograph lacks color, our brains are able to recognize the depicted elements because our minds react to the unnaturalistic colors using one visual pathway. Even if we perceive the color as wrong, to other visual pathways that are solely monochromatic, the scene seems more right. This principle of discussing color in terms of right and wrong helps us to understand Matisse’s work. Even so, it is important to remember that Matisse never discusses his work in these terms. For him, it does not matter whether color is right, because color reflects his subjective inner vision. Therefore, color is always right to Matisse, since it responds to his artistic perception.
Excerpt - Mona Hatoum
Read more of Hatoum's insightful writing.
http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/fauve.html
Red Studio, Henri Matisse, 1911
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| Black and white photograph of an artist's studio, inspired by Matisse's painting. |
Same photograph in color.
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