Young Girl Resting upon her Elbow before a Flowered Screen

In his "Notes of a Painter," published in 1908, Henri Matisse famously wrote: "I dream of an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter, an art something like a good armchair in which to rest from physical fatigue." The symmetrical composition, soft lithographic line and layered floral patterns of this print, together with the relaxed pose and dreamy gaze of the young, anonymous woman, create a quiet image of domestic peace. The floral panels and vase of flowers beside her are drawn from Matisse's extensive collection of studio props. They bring nature indoors to align it with the conventional realm of the feminine.