Le Bonheur de Vivre (The Joy of Life)
The original is an oil on canvas; the item pictured is a modern exhibition poster on paper. • Henri Matisse (original artist); poster produced for the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Style & Movement
Fauvism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography/offset printing on paper; the original artwork employs oil on canvas with flat areas of color and sinuous outlines.
Creation Period
Original work created 1905–1906; this exhibition poster dates to circa 1994.
Dimensions & Format
The poster is in landscape format, likely approximately 24 x 36 inches (standard poster size). The original painting is 175 cm × 241 cm.
Subject Description
An Arcadian landscape filled with brilliantly colored figures in various states of repose, dance, and embrace. The composition features a ring of dancers in the background and sets of figures playing flutes and reclining in the foreground. It represents a bold reimagining of the pastoral tradition with non-naturalistic use of color.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (for a poster); visible slight warping/buckling and surface reflections from the mounting.
Estimated Market Value
$20 – $100 USD (As a mass-produced exhibition poster).
Auction Estimate
$10 – $50 USD (Generic decorative value).
Provenance History
Printed for 'The Barnes Exhibit: Great French Paintings from Cézanne to Matisse' at the Art Gallery of Ontario (1994). Original painting is in the permanent collection of the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia.
Art Historical Significance
The original painting is considered one of the pillars of early modernism and a defining masterpiece of Fauvism. It famously shocked critics with its radical palette and spatial distortions. This poster commemorates a historic traveling exhibition of the Barnes collection, which was previously inaccessible to the broad public.
Notable Features
Includes the Art Gallery of Ontario exhibition branding and 'The Barnes Exhibit' title block at the bottom margin.
Condition Issues
Visible rippling of the paper substrate beneath the frame; potential light fading typical of commercial prints; edge wear from framing.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent UV fading of inks. If desired for long-term display, remount using acid-free materials and UV-protective acrylic.