Was Matisse's art too decorative or superficial?
Some may have seen my work as purely decorative, but for me, decoration was a profound means of expression. I sought to create an art that was pleasing to the eye, yes, but also deeply affecting. The harmony of colors, the balance of forms – these are not superficial qualities. They are the very means by which I aimed to convey emotion, to offer solace and a sense of order in a complex world. It is a spiritual endeavor.
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