This painting by Henri Matisse shows the human emotion of longing. The focal point is on the woman in the middle of the painting. She appears to be looking in the fish bowl, but her eyes are actually looking into the distance. This painting includes overlapping details to show shallow depth and has some decorative space. There is contrast between the pale skin of the woman and the dark background. The woman and the fishbowl are bigger in proportion than the background which is why your eye goes to them first. The size of the fishbowl and the woman's head keep the painting symmetrical. You can also find repetition in the background. Overall I think this piece of work is communicating a woman who has just lost someone very close to her.

Longing