Matisse's Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal @ SFMOMA

In 1905, Henri Matisse sent shockwaves through the art world with Femme au chapeau (Woman with a Hat), a portrait of his wife, Amélie, painted in bold color and loose brushstrokes that defied convention. This exhibition brings the original stakes into focus and explores the enduring impact of one of Matisse’s most iconic works.

Explore a restaging of Femme au chapeau’s public debut in 1905, bringing together the greatest number of works from that historic display in over a century. See why paintings by Matisse, André Derain, Albert Marquet, Maurice de Vlaminck, and others sparked such heated debate and admiration during their time.

From Matisse’s peers to artists working today, such as Hilary Harkness and Rachel Harrison, see how the painting has shaped perceptions about color, content, form, and expression. The exhibition also uncovers its impact closer to home, on Bay Area Figurative artists like Joan Brown, Richard Diebenkorn, and David Park.

As the exclusive venue for this landmark exhibition, SFMOMA is the only place where you can experience the full story and radical spirit of Femme au chapeau.