The Plumed Hat

The Plumed Hat is an intimate ink on paper drawing created by Henri Matisse in 1919. This refined work exemplifies the artist's dedication to draftsmanship during a crucial period of his career, specifically following his move to the South of France and the conclusion of the First World War. The year 1919 marked a significant moment of artistic reflection, as Matisse pivoted toward classical representation and simplified portraiture after the earlier intensities of Fauvism and Cubist experimentation.

Executed purely in ink on paper, the drawing showcases Matisse's masterful, economical use of line. Unlike the intense color palettes found in many of his celebrated paintings, here the artist relies solely on precise contours and varied line weight to define volume, form, and the texture of the sitter's clothing. The subject, an elegantly posed model, is dominated by the elaborate headwear, which gives the piece its title. The prominent decorative feathers and folds of the Plumed Hat provide a dynamic contrast against the stark simplicity of the background. This attention to elegant detail and focus on female portraiture reflects a classical tendency widespread among French artists of the era.

This particular drawing provides valuable insight into the evolution of Matisse’s working method, showing how he developed complex figures through concise draftsmanship before translating them into larger paintings. Matisse was focused on capturing the essential form of his sitters with clarity and grace, utilizing the rapid medium of ink to capture a momentary presence. As an important piece dating from 1919, it helps chart the shift toward the languid, decorative style that would define his output in the ensuing decades. This drawing is currently housed in the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Such foundational works from the core French Modernist period are frequently referenced in scholarly study, and high-resolution images are often utilized for fine art prints, demonstrating the accessibility of this vital era of public domain heritage.