Nude in Rocking Chair (Nu au rocking chair)

Nude in Rocking Chair (Nu au rocking chair) by Henri Matisse is a significant example of the artist's graphic work, created in 1913. As a lithograph, this print exemplifies Matisse’s sophisticated use of line to define form and volume without reliance on color. The work is classified as a print, a medium that the French master frequently utilized to explore compositional ideas and disseminate his artistic innovations.

During this period, the French artist often revisited the theme of the female nude, utilizing the simplicity inherent in black-and-white printmaking to distill the figure to its essential lines. The composition captures the model in a moment of intimate repose, positioned within the structure of the eponymous rocking chair. Matisse employs the highly energetic and economical linework characteristic of his post-Fauvist output. The dynamic interplay between the figure’s softly rendered curves and the more geometric structure of the chair contrasts open space with areas of dense cross-hatching and shading, demonstrating his profound control over the demanding lithography medium. This approach emphasizes form and rhythm over photographic fidelity, solidifying the work within modernist traditions.

This specific print is highly valued as an important contribution to the development of early 20th-century prints. Matisse’s explorations in lithography allowed him to create multiple editions, making his modernist visions widely accessible. This 1913 work is housed in the distinguished collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), affirming its historical and artistic importance within the canon of modern French art. Due to its age and stature, high-quality reproductions and digital files of this piece are often widely accessible through public domain art initiatives, allowing students and enthusiasts worldwide to study the technique of the master.