Henri Matisse (1869-1954) has secured an important place in art history as one of the most innovative and influential figures of 20th-century modern art. Born in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France, Matisse studied law in his youth; however, during his recovery from an illness, he discovered painting, which changed the course of his entire life. His classical training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris provided him with a solid technical foundation; however, he soon pushed the boundaries of traditional style and developed his own form of expression.

Matisse introduced Fauvism to the art world in 1905 at the Salon d'Automne exhibition in Paris, alongside other young artists. Fauvism is an artistic approach that advocates the use of intense, bright, and unexpected tones instead of natural colors, and the construction of compositions based more on emotional impact through loose brushstrokes. This movement formed the basis of Matisse's exploration of the formal and psychological functions of color in his works.

One of the artist's leading works, “La Danse” (Dance, 1910), expresses the rhythm of movement and the harmony of the human body with its simple arrangement of figures. “La Musique” (Music, 1910) offers a melodic visuality with its limited number of figures and balanced color composition. “Femme au chapeau” (Woman with a Hat, 1905) represents Fauvism's bold color palette and innovative approach to portraiture, while “La Gerbe” (The Sheaf, 1953)