The undisputed leader of the Fauve Group, and regarded as one of the great formative figures in 20th century art, Henri Matisse was a master of the use of color and form to convey emotional expression.

Born on December 31, 1869 in Cateau-Cambresis, in the north of France, Matisse grew up in a middle-class family. Eventually, he studied and began to practice law. However, while recovering from a medical ailment, Matisse began painting and became intrigued by it. Soon, he gave up his law practice and moved to Paris to study art formally.

In 1893, Matisse