Alexander Ilichevsky is a Russian prose writer and poet, author of the novels “Solyara”, “Ai-Petri”, “Persian”, “Mathematician”, “Anarchists”, “Orphics”, collections of essays and stories “Rain for Danae” , “Swimmer”, “Donkey’s Jaw”, “Sunset City. Walking on the Wall", "Right to Left". Winner of the Russian Booker and Big Book awards. The novel “Matisse” is not about the famous French artist, but about a Russian physicist who unexpectedly decides to “change his fate” and becomes a tramp. And Matisse is a symbol of brightness, light, the impossible, what the hero lacks in everyday life - he fiercely opposes routine and lack of freedom.