Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs, Tate Modern, until 7th September 2014
Henri Matisse (1869 -1964)
Henri Matisse in his studio
Photographer: Lydia Delectorskaya
© Succession Henri Matisse
We must surely all know that Henri Matisse (1869 – 1954) is a major modern artist who created paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings and of course is a creator of cut-outs and it is the latter talent which is celebrated in this amazing exhibition.
They came about because ill health stopped him painting and instead he turned to painted paper which he cut with a breath-taking verve as maquettes for projects but by their being mounted and framed they became works of art too. In my opinion I think that one can safely argue that he kept the best for last.
The Horse, the Rider and the Clown 1943-4
Maquette for plate V of the illustrated book Jazz 1947
Digital image: © Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Jean-Claude Planchet
Artwork: © Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2014
I don’t need to say any more other than if you can get to see this exhibition then GO!
Henri Matisse (1869 -1964)
The Snail 1953
Gouache on paper, cut and pasted on paper mounted to canvas
Tate
Digital image: © Tate Photography
Artwork: © Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2014
Addendum
Eames Fine Art (London SE1) is showing (until 15th June) the complete set of 40 lithographs created in 1953-54 by Matisse with the renowned lithographer Fernand Mourlot. While they were one of Matisse’s last projects they are full of energy and joy.
Henri Matisse
‘Acrobates’, 1954
Original lithograph
Tim Forrest's E & A 