Henri Matisse’s “The Fall of Icarus” (1943)
Continuing our class’s discussion of the male quest for identity in myth and literature, Michaela Mazur considers Jean Lang’s version of the myth, tying it to Henri Matisse’s “The Fall of Icarus” (1943).
Since the versions of Icarus myth vary, the morals of the myth differ from story to story. But regardless of the interpretation, there remains a constant theme: A boy will be stagnate in childhood, unless he is brave enough to fight like an adult. This leap into manhood must be heroic, for that is what will separate him as a warrior, and differentiate him from more cowardly men.
In Jean Lang’s version of “Icarus,” in The Book of Myths (Gutenberg e-book, September 2007), the author places great emphasis on a boy fulfilling his father’s aspirations. An implicit part of manhood is absolute independence, yet there is one thing that will always take a grown man back to his young roots: his parents. When analyzing iconic myths such as Icarus, a distinct conclusion can be drawn; part of a man’s purpose is to make his family proud. In Lang’s interpretation, she clearly articulates how Icarus’ father sees so much of himself in his son—only Icarus has an opportunity that he, himself, did not. Specifically, she wrote, “disappointment and unsatisfied longing ever came with his waking hours. Now all that had come to an end, and Dædalus was glad and proud as well to watch his son’s joy and his fearless daring” (185). Icarus, as all other boys, will not be independent of their father’s expectations as they journey into manhood.
The talented Henry Matisse (1869-1954), created a cut-out of great irony in his “The Fall of Icarus” (1943). The artwork is a depiction of Icarus’s last moments on earth, as he plunges from the sky, and to his death. As Icarus falls, he descends into a state of bitter reality; he is not invincible, and he has been defeated by something stronger. Therefore, it is ironic that Matisse’s cut-out shows the complete opposite. How could Icarus’s heart be so vibrant, if it will soon cease to have a beat? The answer is that Icarus is actually not dying. He is not mourning his loss, because he is celebrating his freedom. The scene that Matisse crafted is of Icarus’s rebirth. As he falls, he is being born into the existence of a man. Icarus is not dying. In fact, he has never been so alive!