Double Portrait of Josette Gris (Double portrait de Josette Gris)

Double Portrait of Josette Gris (Double portrait de Josette Gris) is a significant print created by Henri Matisse in 1915. This impression utilizes the demanding technique of etching combined with chine collé, a specialized printing process where a thin, usually toned paper is adhered to the heavier support paper during printing. This method allowed Matisse to introduce subtle tonal shifts and textures beyond the capabilities of standard black-and-white etching. The subject of the portrait is Josette Gris, the wife of the Cubist painter Juan Gris, a close associate of Matisse in the French art world.

The composition is arresting in its stark simplicity, presenting two distinct, overlapping profiles of Josette. Matisse employs an elegant economy of line, relying on precise, continuous contours rather than heavy shading or detailed modeling to define the form. The decision to present a double profile suggests a visual investigation into the subject, perhaps seeking different viewpoints or capturing a fragmented moment in time. This focus on line and structure, characteristic of Matisse’s work around 1915, marks a period of consolidation and refinement following the expressive intensity of his earlier Fauvist years.

As a prime example of French early modernism, this etching contributes to the large body of high-quality prints Matisse produced, demonstrating his commitment to the graphic arts. Despite the tumultuous historical context of World War I, the artist maintained a deep engagement with figurative representation, filtering the classic portrait through a distinctly modern aesthetic focused on surface and line. The technical mastery and historical importance of this piece are confirmed by its inclusion in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).