Young Woman Sitting with Bouquet of Flowers (Jeune fille assise au bouquet de fleurs)

Young Woman Sitting with Bouquet of Flowers (Jeune fille assise au bouquet de fleurs) is a significant lithograph by Henri Matisse, created in 1922. This intimate work, classified formally as a print, captures a characteristic subject of the artist’s prolific French period between 1922–24. The composition centers on a female figure, often identified as one of Matisse’s models from his studio in Nice, posed languidly with a substantial bouquet of flowers held in her lap. The style emphasizes line economy, relying on the contrast between delicate interior detail and the bolder rendering of the sitter's form.

The choice of the lithograph medium during this era allowed Matisse to explore subtle tonal variations and precise, yet fluid, outlines, showcasing his mastery of draftsmanship. Though Matisse is often primarily known for his innovative use of color in painting, his dedication to graphic arts during the 1920s produced some of his most refined figurative pieces. This piece exemplifies the atmosphere of sensuous repose that defined his output during this period, where decorative elements and the human figure often merged seamlessly into a flattened, patterned whole.

The composition highlights the interplay between the figure's relaxed posture and the dense, dark masses representing the floral arrangement. These visual elements demonstrate Matisse’s ongoing experimentation with defining volume through line alone, a central concern as he transitioned into the second half of his career. Young Woman Sitting with Bouquet of Flowers quickly became a recognized image among the artist’s prints, often produced in numerous editions due to its aesthetic appeal and technical skill. Today, this important impression from 1922 is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its availability for ongoing scholarly study and public appreciation of this key work of French modernism.