Young Woman Against Arabian Screen Background (Jeune femme sur fond moucharabieh)

Young Woman Against Arabian Screen Background (Jeune femme sur fond moucharabieh) is a significant print created by Henri Matisse in 1926. This artwork utilizes the demanding medium of drypoint enhanced by chine collé, a sophisticated technique where a thin, usually colored, paper is bonded to the heavier support paper during the printing process. This complex combination allowed the artist to achieve subtle tonal variations and textural depth, moving beyond the stark contrasts typical of standard drypoint alone.

The subject matter exemplifies the pervasive Orientalist imagery that characterized Matisse’s production during his extended residency in Nice in the 1920s. The portrait focuses intimately on a young woman, captured in a moment of repose, likely one of the professional models the artist frequently employed during this period. Behind her, the strong, repetitive geometric design of the moucharabieh, or carved Arabian screen, provides a rich decorative backdrop. Matisse’s enduring fascination with pattern and the dynamic interplay between positive and negative space is clearly articulated in this French artwork, demonstrating his mastery of line work. The figure itself remains fluid and simplified, contrasting sharply with the intricate, detailed geometry of the screen.

As an important drypoint dating from 1926, this classification as a print reflects Matisse’s consistent commitment to graphic arts throughout his career. Although often celebrated for his painting, the technical experimentation required for works like this highlights the breadth of his artistic output during this formative period. The work is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As a piece often available in the public domain, high-quality images and prints of this key modernist piece continue to be studied globally, confirming Matisse’s enduring influence on twentieth-century art and his exploration of form versus pattern.