What was Matisse's central idea about art?
My central idea revolved around the expressive power of the line and the color. I believed that art should not simply imitate nature but should create a harmonious synthesis. This meant drawing from nature, yes, but distilling its essence, finding the underlying structure, and then re-creating it with a purified palette and simplified shapes that resonated with the viewer's spirit. It's about finding a balance, a serenity.
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