Henri Matisse
Reclining Dancer
1925-1926, published 1927
Scroll
Henri Matisse
Reclining Dancer
1925-1926, published 1927
Physical Qualities
Crayon transfer lithograph, Sheet: 324 x 498 mm. (12 3/4 x 19 5/8 in.)
Portfolio/Series
Pl. 9 from the series "Ten Dancers"
Credit Line
The Cone Collection, formed by Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone of Baltimore, Maryland
Object Number
1950.12.240
The print that Matisse made throughout his life appear to be closely related images or variations on a theme. However in 1927, he published his first actual series—a portfolio of ten lithographs of dancers with a text by art critic Waldemar George. Six of the ten have been selected for this exhibition. Each print presents a different view of the model, Henriette. None of these poses is about the hard work of dancing, warming up, or performing. They are rather marked by relaxation, daydreaming, or sleep. In each individual scene, movement may be anticipated, but is hardly urgent. Instead, the activity is implied as Henriette takes up different informal poses throughout the series—twisting her torso then relaxing, crossing her legs then stretching them out, pulling in her arms to support her head then extending them outwards with abandon.
There is no apparent order to the prints, which were made over a period of one or two years, but they do fall naturally into groups with two models seated and four reclining. Some figures are drawn with attention to light and shade and are enveloped by a soft background tone. Others figures, created primarily with line, seem to float without support on the warm-toned paper.