Which artist movement is associated with Matisse as a leading figure?

• A. Impressionism
• B. Fauvism
• C. Cubism
• D. Surrealism

Answer: (B)

Bold color and expressive brushwork that prioritize emotion over realism define Fauvism, and Henri Matisse is one of its defining leaders. In the early 20th century, he and fellow painters used bright, often nonnatural colors, simplified shapes, and loose, energetic strokes to convey mood rather than optical truth. This approach marked a break from realism and helped establish Fauvism as a distinct movement. Other movements differ in focus: Impressionism centers on capturing fleeting light and atmosphere with delicate, light-filled brushwork; Cubism reshapes forms into geometric facets and multiple viewpoints; Surrealism explores dreamlike, irrational imagery. So Matisse’s emphasis on bold color and expressive handling aligns him most closely with Fauvism.