Chronology  

1869: Born, December 31, Cateau-Cambrésis, France.

1887 - 1889: Studies law in Paris; returns home and works as a clerk in
a law firm.

1890: Suffers appendicitis; during year-long recovery begins to draw and
paint.

1900: Moves to Paris; enrolls in art school.

1905 -1906: Paints The Woman with the Hat and Le Bonheur de Vivre (Joy
of Life); meets Picasso.

1917: Moves to Nice, in Southern France.

1918: Exhibits with Picasso at the Paul Guillaume Gallery, Paris

Late 1920s: Critics proclaim Matisse a “has-been;” Matisse suffers
“inspirational crisis” and has difficulty creating artworks

1930s: Matisse makes a triumphant return to painting

1939 - 1945: World War II in progress; modern art proclaimed degenerate;
paints The Dream, a direct reference to Picasso’s Woman with Yellow
Hair; remains in Southern France throughout war.

1941: Suffers intestinal infection; subsequent years spent working
mostly from bed or wheelchair.

From 1946: Participates with Picasso in public events, meets in private
with Picasso, exchanges artwork.

1948: Paints Large Red Interior, his last major canvas.

1954: Dies in Nice, France.