The Matisse Dance: Practice/Perfection

The Dance of Matisse in New York and Russia

A portion of Henri Matisse's Dance at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The work was a study for the final version, which is at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini. — A portion of Henri Matisse’s Dance at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The work was a study for the final version, which is at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

A portion of the Dance panel by Henri Matisse that is in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. The work, commissioned by a Russian patron, is one of two panels, titled Dance and Music. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

Henri Matisse’s Dance works appear in practice form in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and in their final version in its Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The work was commissioned in 1909 by a Russian patron. Which do you prefer?

—Lori Tripoli

Lori Tripoli is the editor and publisher of Bashful Adventurer. Based in the New York City vicinity, she writes about travel for a variety of publications.