La Serpentine

1908

Shchukin's Commission for "Dance" and "Music"

The Russian collector Sergei Shchukin commissioned three decorative panels from Matisse for his Moscow house: "Dance," "Music," and "Bathing" (which remained at the sketch stage). The money of Russian collectors allowed the artist to finally overcome his financial difficulties.

25 December 1908

"Notes of a Painter"

"Notes of a Painter" was published in La Grande Revue, in which Matisse formulated his artistic principles — the need to convey emotion directly through simple means.

January 1908

Opening of the Académie Matisse

With the support of the Steins, Hans Purrmann, and other patrons, Matisse founded a private, non-commercial painting school, where he taught from January 1908 to 1911. About 100 students studied at the academy during that time.

October 1910

Trip to Seville

In October 1910 Matisse left for Spain; in a Seville hotel room he painted "Seville Still Life" and "Spanish Still Life."

1911

Visit to Russia

In connection with the installation of the panels, Matisse visited Saint Petersburg and Moscow at Shchukin's invitation and was given an enthusiastic reception. The artist admired ancient Russian icons: "Now that is great art."