Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 5: Woman in a Purple Coat

by Henri Matisse

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

In Henri Matisse's 'Woman in a Purple Coat,' Lydia Délectorskaya, Russian refugee and studio assistant to Matisse, lounges on a chair draped in a striped purple coat. The style of her clothing is Moroccan (a country in northern Africa). The floral painted table in the work holds fruits and a vase of blooming yellow flowers. A magazine lies at her feet. Other than the fruit, most objects in the painting are outlined with thick black lines.

Vocabulary

Fauvist: A style of painting with vivid, unnatural colors.
Russian: Of or related to the country of Russia.
Refugee: A person who leaves their country to escape war, natural disaster, or other harm.
Floral: Of flowers.
Vase: A decorative container often used for displaying cut flowers.

Concepts

1. Henri Matisse was born in 1869 in France.

2. Zoom in and find Matisse's country of birth on the map of Europe.

3. Matisse was an important figure in modern art. Modern art embraces breaking with tradition and experimenting with new techniques.
4. Matisse experimented with bright, unnatural colors in a style called Fauvism. Some of his works shocked people at the time they were released.
5. Matisse died in 1954 at the age of 84.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Woman
• Purple Coat
• Apple
• Orange
• Lemon
• Vase
• Flowers
• Couch
• Magazine
• Pendant
• Pearl or bead necklace
• Shoes
• Wallpaper
• Table

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

• After studying the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 9 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

What is the setting of the painting?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The setting is inside a house, possibly in a living room or a sitting room.

1 / 3

Question 2

Why is the work titled 'Woman in a Purple Coat?'

2 / 3

Answer 2

The painting shows a woman wearing a purple coat.

2 / 3

Question 3

Why is this painting an example of Fauvism?

3 / 3

Answer 3

The painting has colors that are bright and unnatural. For example, the walls and couch are in contrasting colors of red, black, red, white, and yellow.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the setting of the painting? The setting is inside a house, possibly in a living room or a sitting room.
2. Why is the work titled 'Woman in a Purple Coat?' The painting shows a woman wearing a purple coat.
3. Why is this painting an example of Fauvism? The painting has colors that are bright and unnatural. For example, the walls and couch are in contrasting colors of red, black, red, white, and yellow.

References

'Henri Matisse.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Woman in a Purple Coat.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.