Final answer:
Henri Matisse valued color as a vehicle for emotional expression and sensuality in his art, notably during his Fauvism period, seen in works like 'Bonheur de Vivre'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Color and its emotional expression were always important to the French painter Henri Matisse.
His art was initially condemned for its explosive use of color but later gained fame for that very reason.
Matisse also focused on expressing sensuality and joy through his work, particularly evident in paintings like Bonheur de Vivre (Joy of Life), which is filled with bright colors, undulating lines, and lush, Arcadian landscapes.
His Fauvism period was notable for colors serving emotional expression and formal needs rather than realistic depictions. Moreover, Matisse's work captured sensuality and passionate representations of figures, showing influence from both myth and previous artists such as Ingres.