Trois figures - Académies

Trois figures - Académies by Henri Matisse is a striking etching and drypoint print executed in 1914. Created during a historically critical moment as Europe entered the First World War, this work demonstrates the French artist’s complex engagement with structure, form, and the classical tradition, even as modernism was fracturing established aesthetics.

The classification of the piece as an académie indicates a formal study of the nude figure, typically drawn from life. Matisse renders the three figures with an economy of line characteristic of his printmaking during this period. The etching process allowed the artist to establish a clear, linear framework, while the drypoint technique, which involves scratching directly into the metal plate with a sharp needle, lends a characteristic velvety burr to the lines. This creates expressive shadows and depth that distinguish these Trois figures - Académies from standard pen drawings.

While often associated with the vibrant color planes of Fauvism, Matisse dedicated significant energy to graphic arts, using black and white prints to rigorously explore composition and volume. The intensity of line in this 1914 print reveals the influence of academic draftsmanship, yet filtered through a uniquely modernist sensibility that prioritizes form over realistic detail.

This critical piece resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), showcasing Matisse's mastery across multiple media. As a fine example of French printmaking from the early twentieth century, the work illustrates the pivotal shifts in modernist art during this defining year.