Untitled from Ten Dancers (Dix Danseuses)

Untitled from Ten Dancers (Dix Danseuses) by Henri Matisse is a singular work extracted from a significant portfolio of ten lithographs published in 1927. This piece exemplifies Matisse’s mastery of graphic media during a crucial transitional period of his career. Created in black-and-white, the lithograph utilizes the stark contrast of ink on paper to define form and movement, reflecting the artist’s renewed focus on line drawing and economy of composition following his earlier, color-saturated Nice period. The deliberate choice of printmaking allowed Matisse to explore the repetition and variation inherent in the theme of the dancer, moving away from volumetric modeling toward pure, expressive contour.

The subject matter, the female figure in motion, links this work closely to the ongoing series of odalisques and dancers that occupied Matisse throughout the 1920s. These compositions often draw upon classical sources while simultaneously maintaining a distinctly modern, simplified approach. In this lithograph, Matisse relies heavily on contour lines, sketching the figure rapidly and dynamically to capture the ephemeral quality of dance. This highly stylized yet immediate representation is characteristic of his approach to prints from this era. The French cultural heritage of the artist is strongly evident in the tradition of refined draftsmanship employed, prioritizing elegance and formal clarity over descriptive detail.

Classified technically as a print, the status of this lithograph highlights the importance of graphic arts within Matisse’s overall oeuvre. The complete portfolio, Dix Danseuses, is considered a cornerstone collection, demonstrating the artist’s commitment to reproducible media as a means of artistic exploration. This specific piece is permanently housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), contributing to its extensive holdings of early 20th-century European modernism. Though produced in 1927, the linear sophistication and dynamic composition of this print continue to resonate strongly within the history of modern drawing.