Le Chat Aux Poissons Rouges by Henri Matisse (Interpretation and Analysis)

Le Chat Aux Poissons Rouges
Source: Pinterest

French artist Henri Matisse is rather famous for his paintings of goldfish. In fact, one of his most famous paintings, entitled Goldfish, depicts several of the aforementioned fish swimming in a bowl. Matisse is one of the most famous artists of the twentieth century. His work is closely associated with the Fauvist movement and is generally characterized by great energy and rich, intense colors.

Based on my research, Matisse began painting goldfish after he traveled to North Africa. In Morocco, Matisse observed locals watching goldfish swim in their bowls as they sunk into a meditative state. The fish subsequently became a symbol for this sense of tranquility, coming to represent an idyllic version of the world only accessible through joyous day-dreams.

These calming fish are prominent in this painting, which is entitled Le Chat Aux Poissons Rouges (which translates to The Cat With Red Fishes). However, the serene energy of the fish is disrupted by a curious cat, which is attempting to scoop the fish out of their bowl. As a person who owns several exuberant cats, I have to say that this image rings true to me, and I find it to be a rather charming painting. The painting is richly colored, full of warm, satisfying shades.

The primary conflict in this painting is the clash between the energy of the cat and the energy of the fish. While the fish represent peace, the cat embodies the chaotic, outward energy of the world. The push and pull of these two forces animates the painting, conveying a sort of yin and yang.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.