Henri Matisse’s “Icarus” - Cut-Out Masterpiece from 1946 #1395331 (License: Personal Use)

This 1946 gouache on paper cut-out by Henri Matisse depicts a dynamic black silhouette mid-leap, evoking the myth of Icarus with arms outstretched and legs trailing. Set against a rich ultramarine background, six jagged yellow starbursts suggest celestial motion, while a single red dot on the chest symbolizes vitality or hubris. The work exemplifies Matisse’s late-career innovation in the cut-out technique, merging simplicity with expressive power.

Used in art history articles, museum exhibition pages, and educational resources about modernism and Matisse’s cut-outs; matches user intent to learn about iconic 20th-century artworks, symbolism in abstract figuration, or the evolution of collage techniques.