Bell Flower (Campanule)

"Bell Flower (Campanule)" by Henri Matisse is an intimate and refined representation of botanical form, executed in 1913. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the demanding technique of drypoint, which necessitates scratching directly into a metal plate with a sharp point. This process lifts a burr of metal that, when inked, yields the distinctively rich, velvety line quality characteristic of the medium.

The choice of drypoint allowed Matisse to focus entirely on contour and texture, shifting away from the saturated color fields prominent in his paintings. This piece renders the delicate structure of the bell flower, or Campanule, through a subtle interplay of pressure and economy of line. Matisse’s handling of the drypoint needle captures both the fragility of the subject and the inherent energy of its growth, using hatching and varying line thickness to suggest volume and shadow without relying on traditional shading.

Created within the highly experimental atmosphere of French modernism, the 1913 prints demonstrate Matisse's enduring dedication to drawing and the exploration of form through simplicity. As the artist moved further into graphic arts during this period, these works became pivotal in refining his linear vocabulary. This impression of Bell Flower (Campanule) is preserved in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it serves as a powerful example of Matisse’s mastery of the drypoint technique among his celebrated body of prints.