THE PIANO LESSON

26 Feb-1 Apr 2012

Overview

Matisse's 1916 painting 'The Piano Lesson' shows the living room of his home at Issy-les-Molineaux. The central movement through the work is enclosed by two figures: a straight-backed, straight-lined woman in the back corner and a representation of his 1908 sculpture 'Decorative Figure', an image of relaxation. Discipline and sensuality are compared, contrasted, interlinked, and marked by the burning candle and metronome, past and future also. As a celebratory homage to a brilliant painting, this group show will take the opportunity to consider some of the many possible themes and avenues set up by Matisse's work. This might happen on very direct, visual terms, or on a rather metaphorical level.