The Three O'Clock Sitting

Henriette Darricarère's portrayal in The Three O'Clock Sitting exemplifies the influence of Expressionism in early 20th-century art. Born in Northern France, Darricarère was a talented ballerina, musician, and muse for Henri Matisse. Discovered at age nineteen in Nice’s Victorine Studios, she posed for Matisse until her marriage. This genre painting captures her poised, capturing a moment of intimate leisure, with bold colors and expressive brushstrokes characteristic of Matisse’s style. The work reflects her multifaceted artistic background and her impact on Matisse’s development as a painter.