Henri Matisse was influenced by various factors in his early life, including his training in law and the vibrant culture of French Impressionism. His formal art education at the École des Beaux-Arts and his exposure to diverse artistic movements, like fauvism, shaped his distinctive style characterized by bold colors and expressive forms. Personal experiences, such as his time in North Africa, also inspired his use of vibrant patterns and themes of light. These early influences culminated in Matisse's unique approach to expression through color and composition.