Sleeping Figure (Figure endormie)

Sleeping Figure (Figure endormie) is a print created by Henri Matisse in 1926. This French work employs the precise and delicate technique of drypoint, enhanced by the subtle addition of chine collé. This method involves laying a fine, usually toned, paper onto the printing plate before it passes through the press, allowing the printmaker to merge the aesthetic qualities of the drawing and the final print surface. As a master of line and contour, Matisse often explored various graphic mediums parallel to his painting practice, producing a substantial body of influential prints throughout his career.

The subject, a quiet, internalized female figure, is characteristic of Matisse's artistic explorations during the mid-1920s, a period often referred to as his Nice period. While Matisse’s oil paintings from this era are known for their vibrant color and patterned interiors, the drypoint format compels the artist to focus almost entirely on the essential qualities of contour and volume. The technique utilizes a sharp needle to etch the image directly into the plate, which throws up a soft, rich burr during printing. This results in velvety lines that are both definitive and soft, expertly capturing the weight, repose, and intimate vulnerability of the sleeping subject.

This piece, produced in 1926, demonstrates Matisse’s enduring commitment to classical figure studies while continually refining his approach to the graphic arts. Works like Sleeping Figure (Figure endormie) were crucial in developing the artist's vocabulary for line, informing his approach to both small-scale studies and larger commissions in the following decades. This notable example of French prints is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Like many master prints from the early 20th century, high-resolution images of this work are increasingly available through various institutional and public domain collections, highlighting its historical importance for the study of modern graphic design.