Description
Henri Matisse – Carmelina
| Year of creation: | 1908 |
| Original size: | 59 cm x 81.3 cm |
| Painting style: | Fauvism |
| Original technique: | Oil on canvas |
| Located: | Museum of fine arts, Boston |
Carmelina – Henri Matisse
Carmelina is a 1908 painting by Henri Matisse, held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: a nude model sitting face-on in a working room, with the painter seen in the mirror behind her. We paint our hand-painted study of Carmelina to order on canvas, in oil or acrylic, in 8 sizes from 40 × 55 cm to 130 × 180 cm or in a custom size. Before Carmelina is dispatched, we send you a photo of the finished painting.
What does Carmelina show?
In Carmelina a young nude woman with dark hair and a blue bow sits facing us, her hands on her knees, on a table covered with a reddish cloth; behind her are paintings on the wall, a jug and bottles, and the mirror shows the red figure of the painter and his reflection. Matisse painted the model with strong, simple planes and warm light, which is why Carmelina feels solid, calm and direct.
How is our hand-painted study of Carmelina made?
Our painters paint the study of Carmelina by hand, with brushstrokes of different thickness, separately for every order. We paint in oil or acrylic, depending on the subject and the size, so the surface of Carmelina has a real paint texture that a print does not have. When Carmelina is finished, we photograph it and send you the photo for approval.
Which size of Carmelina suits your room?
For the wall above a sofa or a sideboard choose Carmelina in 80 × 110 cm, and for a bedroom, hallway or work corner 40 × 55 cm. Carmelina is available in 40 × 55 cm, 50 × 70 cm, 59 × 81 cm, 70 × 100 cm, 80 × 110 cm, 100 × 140 cm, 110 × 150 cm and 130 × 180 cm. The 59 × 81 cm size is almost the size of the original: the original of Carmelina measures 59 × 81.3 cm, so our painting is the same on one side and 3 mm shorter on the other. A simple rule for Carmelina: it should be about two thirds as wide as the furniture below it, with its centre about 150 cm from the floor.
How does Carmelina arrive, and when?
We ship Carmelina rolled in a sturdy tube, stretched on 2.5 cm deep wooden stretcher bars, or framed – you choose when you order. Stretching and framing of Carmelina are done in our workshop in Slovenia. When a size of Carmelina is in stock, it reaches you within 6 working days; a study of Carmelina painted to order reaches you in 15 to 45 days.
Frequently asked questions about Carmelina
Is Carmelina a print?
No. Every brushstroke of Carmelina is painted by hand on canvas, so the paint visibly stands up from the surface.
Can I order Carmelina in a size that is not listed?
Yes. We also paint Carmelina in a custom size; enter the width and height you want when you order Carmelina.
Who is Carmelina?
Carmelina was Matisse’s model in Paris; he named the painting after her and painted himself at work in the mirror behind her.
Is Carmelina a good gift?
Carmelina is a gift for a Matisse fan or for anyone who likes classical nudes. If you are unsure which size of Carmelina to choose, give a gift voucher.
