The dance (II)

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Dimensions: 260 x 391 сm.
Location: Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

This painting is a large decorative panel, created by Matisse specifically for Russian businessman and art collector Sergei Shchukin. The composition is reminiscent of Blake’s watercolor “Oberon, Titania and Puck with fairies dancing” from 1786. It reflects Matisse’s incipient fascination with primitive art, and uses a classic Fauvist color palette.