An Avid Expressionist

Henri Matisse (December 31, 1869 - November 3, 1954) was a French artist, painter, printmaker, and sculptor. He's one of the best-known artists of the twentieth century, and died on November 3rd. What you may not know about Matisse is that he was a friend and rival of his younger contemporary Picasso, who was a Scoprio. He's often compared to him, as well. One difference between them is that Matisse drew and painted from nature, while Picasso worked from his imagination. Both artists loved women and still lifes. Matisse's first painting acquired by a public collection was "Still Life with Geranium" in 1910.
Matisse's basic needs, values, and orientation in life are symbolized by the four astrological elements. Each person has their own unique balance of these four basic energies: fire (warmth, inspiration, enthusiasm), earth (practicality, realism, material interests), air (social and intellectual qualities), and water (emotional needs and feelings). With a Sun sign in Capricorn, a Leo rising, and a Sagittarian moon, Matisse was influenced and often split between fire and earth. Today, a Matisse painting can fetch as much as US $17 million. In 2002, a Matisse sculpture, "Reclining Nude I (Dawn)," sold for US $9.2 million, a record for a sculpture by the artist.