Henri Matisse in Tangier
Henri Matisse, the renowned French artist, visited Tangier, Morocco, during two significant trips in 1912 and 1913. These visits had a profound impact on his art, marking a pivotal moment in his exploration of color, light, and composition. Matisse saw Tangier as an earthly paradise.
Tangier, with its vibrant colors, dazzling light, and exotic ambiance, captivated Matisse and inspired some of his most innovative works.
Henri Matisse did most of his paintings in Tangier’s Kasbah, or fortress, and in the medina, or medieval walled city. “He found what he wanted there,” said Jack Cowart, curator of 20th-century art at the National Gallery. “Besides, Matisse really didn’t like to travel farther than about a 400-yard radius from his hotel. He always had so much baggage to move about: canvases, stretchers, paints.”
Often Matisse simply stayed in his hotel room to paint. When he first arrived in Tangier in January 1912, bad weather kept him inside. He sent a grumpy postcard to Gertrude Stein informing her that for five days “it had rained incessantly.” So he set a vase on his hotel dresser and painted “Vase of Irises.” That work anticipated the many hotel interiors he later painted in Nice, France.
But it was the view painted from his hotel in his famous “Landscape Viewed From a Window” that I wanted most to see.
During both of his several-month visits to Tangier, Matisse stayed at the Grand Hotel Villa de France. It sits apart on a promontory high above the modern center of town with its wide boulevards and smart shops.
In the kasbah is the Dar el Makhzen, a former royal palace, now a museum, where Matisse presumably studied the beautiful tile work, wandered in the garden and absorbed the Islamic atmosphere. It was a new, exotic world. Its impact, according to Cowart, was “the hinge” between Matisse’s earlier European fauvist style and his more original, powerful later work.
Henri Matisse probably found his colorfully dressed models, both male and female, in the souks or markets, where today Riffian tribesmen stride through the crowded lanes in striped djellabas, and Berber tribal women in wide-brimmed, conical straw hats topped with pompoms carry their babies on their backs.
For the outsider, wandering through Tangier’s streets of flat facades is like being in the desert, looking at blank walls that one knows enclose lush oases. Hidden by monochrome exteriors are richly decorated interiors. Plain outside, patterned inside.
During the walking tour of Tangier our guests would follow ”The route of Matisse”
Key Aspects of Matisse’s Time in Tangier:
Inspiration from Moroccan Light and Colors:
- Matisse was struck by the unique quality of light in Tangier, which he described as “a paradise of light.” The brightness and clarity of the natural surroundings influenced his palette, leading him to experiment with bold, saturated colors and simplified forms.
- The rich colors of the local architecture, traditional Moroccan textiles, and the lush landscapes became central to his compositions.
Cultural and Architectural Influences:
- Matisse was fascinated by Moroccan culture, the people, and the ornate geometric patterns found in Islamic art and architecture. This influence is evident in the decorative elements of his paintings.
- He often painted scenes of local interiors, including patterned tiles, textiles, and windows, capturing the essence of Moroccan design.
Notable Works Inspired by Tangier: Some of Matisse’s key paintings from this period include:
- Zorah on the Terrace (1912): A portrait of a local woman against a backdrop of vivid colors and patterns.
- The Casbah Gate (1912): A depiction of one of Tangier’s iconic gates, highlighting the interplay of light and shadow.
- View of the Bay of Tangier (1912): A landscape showcasing the city’s coastal beauty with simplified forms and vibrant colors.
Transition to Fauvism and Simplification:
- Tangier helped Matisse push the boundaries of Fauvism, a movement he co-founded. His Moroccan works show a move toward greater abstraction and the use of color as a primary means of expression.
Challenges and Personal Growth:
- During his time in Tangier, Matisse faced challenges with the weather, his health, and his initial difficulty adapting to the new environment. However, these struggles ultimately fueled his creative evolution.
Matisse’s Moroccan period is celebrated as a transformative phase in his career. His experiences in Tangier not only enriched his artistic vocabulary but also deepened his commitment to the exploration of light, color, and form, which became hallmarks of his later work.
Experiences of Matisse in Morocco
Motivation for the Visits:
- Matisse sought inspiration and a change of environment to rejuvenate his creativity. He was drawn to Morocco by its vibrant culture, unique light, and the exoticism it offered to European artists of the time.
Cultural and Visual Inspirations:
- Matisse was captivated by the interplay of light and shadow in Moroccan architecture, the bright colors of textiles, and the simple yet profound daily life of the locals.
- The intricate geometric patterns and rich visual details of Moroccan design were particularly inspiring for his work.
Artistic Impact:
- His time in Morocco led to a greater simplification and flattening of forms in his work, as he moved toward more abstract representations of subjects.
- Matisse painted several key works during and after his visits, such as Zorah on the Terrace and Landscape Viewed from a Window. These works demonstrate his fascination with the luminous light, vibrant colors, and serene atmosphere of Morocco.
- He incorporated Moroccan motifs, like latticed windows and traditional garments, into his compositions.
Key Locations:
- Matisse spent much of his time in Tangier, where the city’s unique blend of cultures and the striking coastal landscapes deeply inspired him.
- He also visited Fez and other parts of Morocco, taking in the diverse cultural and natural scenery.
Evolution of Style:
- Morocco marked a transition in Matisse’s art toward more decorative, expressive, and colorful compositions. His exploration of Moroccan themes influenced not only his painting but also his later works in design and cut-outs.
Matisse’s Moroccan experience is often compared to the inspiration Vincent van Gogh drew from Provence or Paul Gauguin from Tahiti. It enriched his artistic vision and left a lasting legacy on his approach to color, light, and form.
Would you like me to provide more details about specific works he created during or after his time in Morocco?