The paper cutouts, prepainted with blue gouache, synthesized the intrinsic qualities of both painting and drawing—form, color, and line—and allowed the artist "to draw in paper," as he described it. This new idiom, which he had used for the first time in 1931 (while developing his large composition Dance for Dr. Albert C. Barnes), enabled him to create images in which form and outline were inseparable. During his final years, when illness left Matisse bedridden, the cutouts, or gouaches découpées, became virtually his only means of expression, still exuding the master's undiminished inventiveness and creativity. The technique opened up new possibilities for the artist.

Henri Matisse's "Blue Nude IV," crafted in 1952, is a culmination of his lifelong exploration of the female form. Through vibrant blue hues and fluid lines, Matisse creates a harmonious dance of shapes, emphasizing sensuality and grace. The figure, reduced to its essential elements, radiates a serene yet intense energy. This artwork showcases Matisse's mastery of color and composition, while embodying his late-career focus on simplicity and emotional expression. "Blue Nude IV" remains a testament to Matisse's ability to convey profound emotion and human essence through minimalistic yet evocative forms, encapsulating his enduring impact on modern art.