Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is regarded as one of the most important figures in twentieth century art. Although he is best known as a painter, he was also a printmaker and a sculptor. Edward Steichen and Matisse met for the first time in 1907 in Paris. They discussed art and aesthetics, sharing an appreciation for Rodin and Cézanne. In 1908, Steichen and Alfred Stieglitz organised Matisse’s first exhibition in the United States. Steichen curated two more Matisse exhibitions in New York in 1910 and 1912. His portrait shows Matisse in his studio in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, working on his sculpture La Serpentine.