Etude de Nu

1899

Meeting André Derain

After leaving the École des Beaux-Arts, Matisse enrolled in the classes of Eugène Carrière, where he met André Derain, Jean Puy, Jules Flandrin, and Maurice de Vlaminck.

10. November 1899

Son born: Jean Gérard Matisse

1904

First Solo Exhibition

Matisse's first solo exhibition was held at the gallery of Ambroise Vollard, though it was not a great success.

summer 1904

Summer in Saint-Tropez with Signac

Together with the Neo-Impressionists Paul Signac and Henri Cross, Matisse went to Saint-Tropez, where he began working in the Divisionist technique. There he painted his first masterpiece, "Luxe, Calme et Volupté" (1904/1905).

summer 1905

Collioure: The Birth of Fauvism

Matisse spent the summer of 1905 with André Derain and Maurice de Vlaminck in the fishing village of Collioure on the Mediterranean. Together with Derain he created a new style that entered art history as Fauvism.

1905

Scandal at the Salon d'Automne

Matisse showed "The Open Window" and "Woman with a Hat"; Louis Vauxcelles's review of 17 October 1905 gave the group the nickname "fauves" ("wild beasts"). "Woman with a Hat" was bought by Leo Stein for 500 francs, which raised the market value of the artist's work.