Le Bonheur de vivre, also called The Joy of Life

The Joy of Life. True to its name, the canvas bursts with vivid colors. An overwhelming light. Between 1905 and 1906, Henri Matisse faced this monumental canvas. Measuring 176.5 centimeters high by 240.7 centimeters wide, it was large enough to look up to in awe. In the early 20th century, it became a masterpiece of Fauvism—a new form of expression known as the "Wild Beasts."

Once completed, the painting was displayed in a special place: the salon hosted by the siblings Gertrude and Leo Stein. It was a gathering place for the new art.

One day, a young man visited the salon: Pablo Picasso.

This huge painting, displayed in the Stein siblings' salon, left the young Picasso with an unimaginable shock. He was struck speechless.

The Joy of Life, painted by Matisse. Its overwhelming colors and expression violently shook the young Picasso’s heart. Was it jealousy of Matisse's talent? Or pure amazement? He likely could not tear his eyes away from the canvas.