Why was the La Gerbe painted?

"La Gerbe," painted by Henri Matisse in 1953, was created as a response to the artist's desire to express joy and vitality through color and form. The vibrant, abstract composition reflects Matisse's exploration of color theory and his interest in the interplay between shapes. It serves as a celebration of life and is emblematic of Matisse's later work, where he emphasized emotional expression over representational accuracy. The painting is often seen as a culmination of his lifelong pursuit of artistic innovation.