Outamaro

Outamaro is an important print created by Henri Matisse in 1914. This work utilizes the complex printmaking technique of etching combined with chine collé, a process where a thin sheet of paper (often tinted or textured) is meticulously adhered to a heavier backing sheet during the pressure of the printing process. This sophisticated layering allows for subtle textural variations and heightened tonalities, characterizing the artist's dedicated engagement with graphic arts during a pivotal year in his career.

Created in 1914, this piece reflects the high level of technical precision Matisse brought to his graphic productions. As a key example of the French modernist movement, the etching was likely conceived as part of a portfolio or specialized limited edition, demonstrating the artist’s profound focus on linear composition and distilled form. The title itself, Outamaro, signals Matisse’s deep and abiding appreciation for Japanese ukiyo-e masters, specifically Kitagawa Utamaro. This strong influence of Japonisme, pervasive among contemporary Parisian artists, manifests here through potentially spare composition and a reliance on contour and line over the vibrant color typical of his earlier paintings.

While renowned primarily for his painting, Matisse produced over 800 prints throughout his career, recognizing printmaking as a vital and independent artistic form essential for structural exploration. The sharp, decisive lines achieved through the etching process underscore the formal explorations Matisse undertook during the mid-1910s, as he transitioned away from pure Fauvism toward increased structure and rigor. This significant print is currently held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As part of the historical record, information and high-quality prints of this early 1914 masterwork are frequently made available through various public domain resources, allowing broad accessibility to the extensive catalogue of the great French master.