Henri Matisse: A Revolutionary of Color Henri Matisse, born December 31st, 1869, in Le Cateau, Picardy, France, wasn’t initially destined for a life immersed in art. His early years were marked by a quiet, almost reluctant interest, a stark contrast to the vibrant world he would ultimately create. His parents, involved in the grain business, and his upbringing in a rural setting seemed to steer him toward a conventional path – law, specifically. However, a pivotal illness during his teenage years, a severe attack of appendicitis, proved to be a catalyst, igniting within him a profound desir…