Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was born in Northern France to a middle class family. He studied and practiced law until after an illness, when he became interested in painting. He is considered to be one of the most influential of the early 20th century artists. As the leader of the Fauvist movement, he rebelled against the impressionists' use of soft pastel tones. He was the master of the bold use of color and shapes, concentrating more on the expressive form than the particular details. Unlike many artists, he was internationally popular during his lifetime, a favorite of collectors and art critics alike. Today, a renewed interest in his work can be seen in many phases of contemporary life from art to interior design.