Young Girl with a Spanish Comb (Jeune femme au peigne espagnol)

Young Girl with a Spanish Comb (Jeune femme au peigne espagnol) is a delicate print created by Henri Matisse in 1919. This work is classified as a drypoint with chine collé, a complex graphic technique that demonstrates the artist’s intense, yet often overlooked, engagement with printmaking during this period. Drypoint, characterized by the velvety burr created by the etching needle dragging across the copper plate, lends a particular softness and depth to the lines defining the sitter’s contours. The subsequent application of chine collé—a process where a thin sheet of paper is adhered to the primary support during printing—further enhances the contrast and provides a rich, subtle ground for the precise, dark ink lines, distinguishing this piece from his standard lithographs of the era.

Created within the 1919–20 period, this piece reflects the evolving style of Matisse as he consolidated his position in the art world following the war. The work displays a distinctly French sensibility for formal elegance while exploring elements of imported style, particularly through the prominent inclusion of the Spanish comb, or peigne, worn by the subject. Matisse frequently used accessories, costumes, and decorative details during this era to anchor his figures, focusing attention on texture and refined silhouette over deep psychological introspection.

This refined work stands out among the large volume of prints produced by Matisse, offering a sophisticated study in profile. The composition is focused and intimate, allowing the viewer to appreciate the subtle pressure variations in the line work that define the subject’s features and the elaborate structure of the hair and comb. The careful balance between the detail of the drypoint and the tonal quality afforded by the chine collé process exemplifies the mastery the artist brought to his graphic productions. This significant example of French printmaking, offering insight into the post-WWI shift towards classical draftsmanship, resides in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York.