Emma's Face Turned to the Left I (Visage d'Emma tourné à gauche I)

Emma's Face Turned to the Left I (Visage d'Emma tourné à gauche I) is a powerful, intimate portrait created by Henri Matisse in 1915. This specific work, classified as a print, utilizes the complex and experimental technique of monotype combined with chine collé. Monotype is inherently unique, yielding only one strong impression, which highlights the immediacy and individuality of the composition. The addition of chine collé involves adhering a thin sheet of paper to a heavier backing sheet during the printing process, allowing Matisse to incorporate subtle variances in texture or color into the final image.

The subject, believed to be the model named "Emma," is depicted with a striking economy of line, focusing entirely on the contour and expression achieved through the graphic medium. During 1915, the French master was engaged in a period of formal reduction, moving away from the exuberant color of his earlier Fauvist works toward rigorous, architectural structure. This transition was partly influenced by the cultural and psychological upheaval of the First World War, prompting Matisse to explore form through stark contrasts and strong silhouettes. The intense concentration on the structure of the face, seen here turned sharply to the left, emphasizes the artist’s mastery of line as an expressive tool.

These technical prints reveal Matisse’s deep commitment to portraiture and his tireless exploration of graphic media during the mid-1910s. The stylistic intensity seen in Emma's Face Turned to the Left I makes it an important work documenting the evolution of his style before his move toward the decorative refinement that characterized the Nice period. This exceptional piece, demonstrating a crucial phase in the artist's technical development, is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).