What was the first name of the French artist Matisse?

Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was a French artist known for his use of colour. He mostly produced paintings but also had a reputation as a draughtsman, printmaker and sculptor. Matisse was one of the main artists who helped to develop modern art in the early 20th century.

Matisse usually applied thick, brightly coloured paint (impasto) to canvases without attempting to blend colours or show any form of realism. A contemporary art critic named the style 'Fauvism', which means 'Wild Beasts' to describe the arbitrary combinations of bright colours and energetic brushwork. Although Matisse was initially called a 'Fauve' (wild beast), he painted many traditional themes, such as portraits.

Due to ill health later in life, Matisse stopped painting and created a body of work using bright coloured paper, which he collaged together on a canvas. As his health deteriorated, a team of assistants followed Matisse's strict instructions to produce the work for him.