DISCOVERART

Henri Matisse

Seated Riffian (Le Rifain assis)

Between November and December 1912
Oil on canvas
200.3 × 160.7 cm (78.9 × 63.3 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Collection Gallery, Main Room, South Wall

Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia · verified July 2026

View at barnesfoundation.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

Henri Matisse painted this tribesman from the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco during a trip to the region in 1912. Rendered with bold colors and on a monumental scale, the figure fills the canvas from top to bottom and confronts the viewer directly. Morocco was under French rule at the time of Matisse's visit. Like so many other works produced during the colonial period, this one reflects the European fascination with the "exoticism" of faraway lands.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Henri Matisse

Bouquet of Anemones (Bouquet d'anémones)Bouquet of Anemones (Bouquet d'anémones)Houses (Fenouillet) [Les Maisons (Fenouillet)]Houses (Fenouillet) [Les Maisons (Fenouillet)]Dishes and Melon (Assiettes et melon)Dishes and Melon (Assiettes et melon)Flower PieceFlower PieceThe Sea Seen from Collioure (La Mer vue de Collioure)The Sea Seen from Collioure (La Mer vue de Collioure)Blue Still Life (Nature morte bleue)Blue Still Life (Nature morte bleue)Chinese Casket (Le Coffret chinois)Chinese Casket (Le Coffret chinois)The Red Couch (Le Canapé rouge)The Red Couch (Le Canapé rouge)

More like this

Absorbing ArtAristodimos Kaldis — Absorbing ArtThe Seated ZouaveVincent van Gogh — The Seated ZouaveByzantine FigureHugh Mesibov — Byzantine FigureThe Pastry Chef (Baker Boy) (Le Pâtissier)Chaim Soutine — The Pastry Chef (Baker Boy) (Le Pâtissier)Seated FigureKrona Bronstein — Seated FigureMan Wearing a Straw HatPaul Cezanne — Man Wearing a Straw HatTwo Women at a Circular TableJules Pascin — Two Women at a Circular Table