In this lithograph, a female model gazes out at the viewer with one arm over her head. Her form, created with just a few strokes, is surrounded by the more carefully delineated patterning of the decorative elements on the wall behind her. As a printmaker, Matisse was particularly prolific in lithography. The artist either worked directly on the lithographic stone or used crayon transfer lithography, which allowed him to draw in his studio. It was the printer who would then undertake the challenge of transferring the artist’s drawing onto a stone and printing an edition, or group of prints. However, Matisse always had a clear vision of the result he expected and was meticulous in the approval that proofing required before an edition was printed.