Ten Dancers (Dix danseuses)

Ten Dancers (Dix danseuses), created by Henri Matisse in 1927, is a significant portfolio comprising ten individual lithographs. This collection of prints exemplifies the French master’s enduring fascination with the human figure and dynamic motion. Executed during a highly prolific phase of his career, the work uses the expressive medium of lithography, which allows for remarkable fluidity in line and shadow, essential for capturing the spontaneous kinetic energy of the subject.

Matisse utilized a minimalist yet highly kinetic drawing style for this 1927 series. The dancers are often depicted in various stages of preparation or performance, rendered with economic line work that emphasizes contour over volume. Unlike some of his oil paintings from the same period, which are rich in pattern and color, the Ten Dancers (Dix danseuses) portfolio relies on the stark power of black and white contrast inherent to the print medium. This aesthetic focus allowed Matisse to explore form through pure graphic means, concentrating on the delicate balance between positive and negative space. The representation of the dancers mirrors his lifelong investigation into simplifying complex physical motion to reach the essence of form.

As one of the critical graphic works of the mid-1920s, the portfolio represents Matisse’s dedication to printmaking as a primary creative outlet, often returning to the theme of dance which he immortalized previously in works like La Danse. This collection of prints is highly regarded by scholars and remains a central example of the artist's commitment to capturing the vibrancy of human movement on paper. Today, this important set of lithographs is housed in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), recognizing its enduring significance within the broader canon of modern French art.