The Serf
Henri Matisse · 1900–03, cast c. 1908 · Art Institute of Chicago
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From the museum
Henri Matisse often turned to sculpture early in his career in an attempt "to put order into my feelings and find a style to suit me." More than half of his total output of sculpture dates to between 1900 and 1909, and these works reveal a deep interest in the human figure, as well as ancient and early modern works of art. The Serf, one of Matisse’s earliest sculptures, consumed him: he was reported to have spent up to 500 sessions with his model, Bevilaqua, who also posed for Auguste Rodin. The Art Institute’s work is an early cast (1908) of a total edition of 10 and was once owned by Matisse’s most enthusiastic early supporters, Michael and Sarah Stein.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC BY 4.0
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Details
- Maker
- Henri Matisse, French, 1869–1954
- Date
- 1900–03, cast c. 1908
- Medium
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- 91.5 × 30.5 × 34.3 cm (36 × 12 × 13 1/2 in.)
- Place of origin
- France
- Held by
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · On view · Gallery 391
- Credit line
- Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson
Image: Art Institute of Chicago, CC0
