It is believed that Matisse used his wife as a model for this painting, which garnered much negative criticism when it was displayed at the Salon D’Automne, in 1905. It was this exhibition that the term “fauve,” which translates into “wild” or “beastly,” was coined, by art critic Louis Vauxcelles, who referred to the paintings as beastly, a comment that was printed in a public newspaper and freely tossed around in public. The painting was purchased, however, by Gertrude and Leo Stein, delivering a bit of good news to Matisse, who had been demoralized at the negative receptions his works had garnered.