Nude with Right Foot on Stool (Nu au pied droit sur un tabouret)

Nude with Right Foot on Stool (Nu au pied droit sur un tabouret) by Henri Matisse is a crucial lithograph created in 1906. This French print exemplifies the artist’s early, concentrated exploration of the human form, reflecting his nascent interest in simplified line and expressive contour that would soon define his Modernist practice. Although Matisse is widely celebrated for his canvases, he dedicated significant time to graphic arts, utilizing the inherent tonal qualities and directness afforded by the lithographic process.

The composition focuses tightly on the seated female figure, whose body is depicted with remarkable economy of line. The model’s right foot rests upon a low stool or tabouret, establishing a dynamic posture within the intimate setting. Unlike traditional academic studies, Matisse employs minimal shading and modeling, allowing the viewer to engage primarily with the negative space and the sweeping, confident outline of the figure. This deliberate focus on rhythmic structure, rather than purely anatomical detail, became a hallmark of the artist's work. The lithograph technique itself provides a deep, velvety black ink that contrasts sharply against the paper, underscoring the formal clarity achieved in this specific work.

The prints created by Matisse in 1906 mark a critical transitional phase, where the artist moved away from Post-Impressionist influences toward the radical simplification seen in his later nudes and portraiture. The expressive directness evident in Nude with Right Foot on Stool foreshadows the revolutionary formal explorations that would characterize the height of his career. This significant example of early 20th-century French graphic work is permanently housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its availability for study and public appreciation. As part of a major museum collection, high-quality prints and reference materials related to this important historical piece are frequently accessible through public domain initiatives.