Loulou - Flowered Hat (Loulou Masque - chapeau fleuri)

Loulou - Flowered Hat (Loulou Masque - chapeau fleuri) by Henri Matisse is a significant example of the artist’s prolific graphic output from the period 1914–15. Created in 1914, this intimate portrait employs the refined technique of etching combined with chine collé, a process in which a thin, secondary paper, often colored or textural, is bonded to the heavier support sheet during printing. This subtle integration of paper adds a layer of restrained color and tonal variation often absent in standard monochrome etchings. This piece signals a subtle, yet profound, shift in Matisse’s approach to figuration and line work as the atmosphere of World War I began to redefine the French art world.

The subject of the work is "Loulou," a frequent model for Matisse during the early phase of his artistic maturity. Unlike the vibrant, expressionistic color fields characteristic of his earlier Fauvist paintings, this period saw Matisse turning toward distilled form and structure achieved primarily through linearity. Here, Matisse uses the precise etching needle to construct delicate yet emphatic lines, clearly defining the contour of the sitter and the complex structure of her wide-brimmed, flowered hat. The highly abstracted facial features resemble a mask, lending the piece its secondary title, Loulou Masque.

This period was crucial as Matisse utilized prints as a laboratory for formal experimentation, moving toward the classical restraint that would characterize his post-war years. Works like Loulou - Flowered Hat reflect an increasing interest in economical composition and the structural potential of the human figure. Today, this important piece of French modernism resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As part of the artist’s expansive portfolio of graphic works, it is often referenced in scholarly discussions of his wartime evolution. Like many of Matisse’s prints, digital copies of the work are increasingly accessible through public domain initiatives, ensuring its continued study and appreciation.