L'œuvre en bref

"The Sorrows of the King" is a major work by the artist Henri Matisse, created in 1952 during the last years of his life when he was mostly working from his bed due to health issues. This late period of his career is marked by the innovative use of cut-out gouaches, a technique that allowed him to continue creating despite his physical limitations. The painting is part of a series where Matisse explores the relationship between color, shape, and space, moving away from conventional painting to embrace a more sculptural approach to visual art.

Visually, "The Sadness of the King" features a dynamic composition of brightly colored cut-out shapes on a dark background. Stylized human figures, arabesques, and vegetal elements stand out clearly, creating an almost musical scene. The dominance of yellow, green, blue, and black orchestrates a harmonious juxtaposition, evoking a sense of life despite the melancholic title. The work can be interpreted as a meditation on the duality between joy and sadness, with the artist's role here appearing as that of a melancholic king, surrounded by shapes and colors that embody his memories and emotions. The absence of realistic details invites the viewer to a free contemplation, amplifying the timelessness and emotional depth of the painting.

Want to buy another Henri Matisse painting? Discover all our reproductions of this artist.