Loulou, Back View (Loulou, figure de dos)

Loulou, Back View (Loulou, figure de dos) by Henri Matisse, created in 1914, is a focused example of the artist's intense period of graphic experimentation just prior to and at the outset of World War I. Classified as a print, the work employs the specialized technique of etching combined with chine collé. This approach involves adhering a thin sheet of fine paper onto a heavier backing sheet during the printing process, often creating subtle shifts in tone and texture that enhance the delicate etching lines.

The period spanning 1914–15 was pivotal for Matisse, who used drawing and printmaking to explore form and volume with renewed rigor. Here, the artist renders his subject, Loulou, from the back. The composition is stark and structurally sound, emphasizing the simple, clean contour lines that define the figure’s shoulder, neck, and the fall of her hair. By minimizing atmospheric detail and volume, Matisse shifts the viewer's attention entirely to the purity of line and the internal geometry of the pose. This dedication to linear definition showcases a departure from the vibrant colors of his earlier Fauvist work, moving toward a more structured and architectural aesthetic.

This graphic output is central to understanding Matisse’s evolution during the war years. The focus on form and reduced palette reflects the somber yet demanding artistic climate of the French avant-garde during the 1914–15 era. This important piece remains a key reference point for scholars studying Matisse’s transition toward classicism. The work currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As a historic example of modern French prints, high-quality digital reproductions are often available for study, sometimes falling under parameters that allow for public domain use.