Henri Matisse 1869 -1954

This art lesson is based on Henri Matisse and I taught it to my Kindergarten classes to review color and shape.



Henri Matisse was born in France and lived to the age of 84.
He began studying law but once he was introduced to painting, he decided to become an artist.








He did many different types of art – drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture and painting.
Many of his pieces emphasize color and shapes.
He liked creating patterns too.







During the last 14 years of his life, he was sick and could not paint anymore.



This did not stop him from still creating art.



He began to use scissors and make cut outs that he glued together.
This is considered his cut out or collage period.




Today his paper cutouts are in museums all over the world.




After looking at some of his work and discussing colors and shapes, I showed my student a Lego movie by Yellowhead Productions about Daedalus and Icarus.



Then we looked at Matisse’s Icarus and talked about what each shape and color represents.
I passed out paper, glue, scissors, and pencils.
I asked my students to create Icarus like Matisse.




First we put our names on the back of our papers and then drew our Icarus on black paper.

We talked about his arms and legs and in what position they might be posed considering the story.

Then I left them decide what other shapes and colors to cut out and add.

Here are some examples from my students.






If any students got finished early, I suggested they make some cutouts of their own just like Matisse.


Many of my students made up their own endings to the story of Daedalus and Icarus.
This student wanted Icarus to land in the ocean and be rescued. Although he never saw his father again, he survived.