Madame Josette Gris

Madame Josette Gris is a poignant portrait created by Henri Matisse in 1914. This print exemplifies the artist's rigorous engagement with line and form during the tumultuous early years of the First World War. Classified as an important graphic work, the piece was executed using the demanding technique of etching combined with chine collé, resulting in a delicate interplay between the deeply incised lines and the subtle texture of the thin paper support. Produced within the dynamic French art culture of the 1914–15 period, the work reflects Matisse’s consistent focus on portraiture, even as he simultaneously developed the more abstract, structured compositions characteristic of his transitional phase after the decline of Fauvism.

The etching process allowed Matisse to achieve precise, economical lines that sharply define the subject’s expression and posture. The use of chine collé adds an element of material complexity to the graphic medium; this technique involves adhering a very thin, delicate piece of paper (the collé) to a heavier backing sheet during the printing of the etched plate, often intensifying the contrast or adding a specific tonal quality to the composition. While focused primarily on contour and shadow, this subtle complexity grants Madame Josette Gris a depth unique to the medium of prints. Matisse masterfully utilizes negative space, focusing the viewer’s attention entirely on the features of Madame Gris. Her expression is direct and reserved, characteristic of the penetrating psychological insight Matisse often sought in his portrait studies.

As a foundational figure in early twentieth-century Modernism, Matisse produced significant bodies of graphic work throughout his career, and this particular image stands as a key example of his commitment to printmaking during a period of profound artistic evolution. Today, high-quality reproductions of Matisse’s graphic works, including select prints from this seminal era, contribute significantly to the study and appreciation of his oeuvre. This important piece of French artistic heritage is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.