Henri Matisse, (1869 – 1954) was born in France to a family who had many plans for him. Matisse spent his childhood and school days in Bohain France and later in Ste. Quentin, where he studied Latin and Greek until the year 1887. The path chosen by Matisse's parents for him, was one that led to a career in one of the professions and so, the young man was sent to Paris to study law.

Somewhat of a "blessing in disguise", Matisse fell ill with appendicitis in the year 1890. During his long convalescence from the illness, his mother tried to amuse him with a box of paints, a set of brushes and a how-to-paint book. These art supplies made Matisse feel free for the first time in his life. In 1891, much against the wishes of his father, a fully recovered Matisse returned to Paris - this time - to study art.

Matisse was a master painter, printmaker, collage artist and sculptor. His use of colour and form continues to influence the work of artists today - one hundred years later. Matisse was influenced greatly by Primitive masks and he was the leader of the Fauve ("wild beast") movement. Fauvism was a movement in French painting that changed the way artists used colour in their artworks.