La Chute d’Icare (The Fall of Icarus) by Henri Matisse, 1943
Henri Matisse’s “La Chute d’Icare” (The Fall of Icarus), painted in 1943, beckons viewers into a world of myth and vivid abstraction. Created during a period of confinement in France, this artwork transcends its era, marrying ancient myth with modern sentiment through Matisse’s unique cut-out technique. The narrative of Icarus, a tale of aspiration and downfall, is channelled through Matisse’s use of bold, primary colors, where expressive blue backgrounds contrast with vivid yellow and stark black, mirroring the chaotic beauty and tragic fate of the daring youth.
You are invited to own a piece of this artistic legacy through a premium fine art print by The Unique Maps Co. Immerse your spaces with the cultural weight of this masterpiece, printed on museum-grade, acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a variety of sizes and customization options to make it uniquely yours, ensuring this artwork complements your aesthetic preferences.
Matisse, a pioneer of Fauvism, was celebrated for his innovative use of color and his distinctive approach to form and space. “La Chute d’Icare” exemplifies his late-career “gouache découpée” method, translating gestures into shapes. The blue, reminiscent of sky and sea, represents both the serene and the boundless. Yellow punctuates the artwork, suggesting both warmth and warning. The anthracite figure of Icarus, embattled amidst these hues, contrasts sharply, drawing the eye to the heart of the tragedy.
This stunning representation makes an evocative centerpiece or a thoughtful gift. Ideal for birthdays, housewarmings, or cultural occasions like Christmas, it celebrates an intersection of myth, art, and personal expression, echoing a timeless elegance that suits numerous settings and tastes.
If you’re not sure what size to order, or you’re looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.
You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.
You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.
I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn’t available online, please get in touch.
This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
