Artwork
Michael Stein
Michael Stein is an oil painting by the Fauvist artist Henri Matisse. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1916, this oil portrait presents a seated gentleman rendered by Henri Matisse. The canvas is part of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s collection and exemplifies the painter’s exploration of color and form during a pivotal phase of early twentieth‑century modernism.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, a moustachioed man in a brown jacket, white shirt and dark tie, is depicted with his gaze directed beyond the picture plane. The subdued background and the contemplative expression suggest an introspective mood, inviting viewers to consider the inner life of the individual rather than a narrative scene.
Technique & Style
Matisse employs the Fauvist vocabulary of vivid, unmodulated hues and simplified shapes, yet the palette here is restrained, dominated by earth tones. Broad, confident brushstrokes define the facial features and clothing, while the flat background reinforces the focus on the figure’s presence.
History & Provenance
The portrait was executed during Matisse’s wartime period, a time marked by experimentation with new compositional approaches. After changing hands through private collections, the work entered the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s modern art holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri Émile Benoît Matisse (French:; 31 December 1869 – 3 November 1954) was a French visual artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship.
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