Nude with Blue Cushion Beside a Fireplace (Nu au coussin bleu à coté d'une cheminée)

Nude with Blue Cushion Beside a Fireplace (Nu au coussin bleu à coté d'une cheminée) by Henri Matisse is a compelling example of the French artist’s dedicated exploration of the figure in graphic media, executed in 1925. This lithograph belongs to the period often referred to as Matisse’s Nice period (c. 1917-1930), characterized by a turn toward more intimate domestic scenes and classical figure studies rooted in observation. This aesthetic shift contrasts sharply with the intense, non-representational colors that defined his earlier Fauvist movement work.

The composition centers on a reclining nude figure situated in an interior setting defined by structured elements, most notably the heavy geometry of a nearby fireplace. As a printmaker, Matisse demonstrates a precise yet flowing command of line, using simple, economic contours to define the body's form while applying richer texture and shading to the surrounding objects. The titular blue cushion provides a specific focal point of color and texture against the more subdued environment of the studio. This focus on line over color was paramount for the artist; he viewed his works on paper and prints as fundamental exercises in structure, complementary to his large-scale paintings.

This piece is highly representative of Matisse’s sustained interest in the odalisque figure during the 1920s, allowing him to investigate the relationship between the human form, decorative pattern, and the architecture of the enclosed space. The sustained output of such figure studies in this medium solidified the French master’s reputation as one of the 20th century's foremost printmakers. This significant work from 1925 is preserved in the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), serving as a crucial reference point for understanding Matisse’s stylistic evolution during the interwar years.