HENRI MATISSE 1869-1954
(Emile Benoît)
Le Cateau-Cambrésis 1869-1954 Nice (French)
Title: Three Heads; To Friendship (Masks of Apollinaire, Matisse and Rouveyre) | Trois têtes; À l’amitié. (Masques d’Apollinaire, Matisse et Rouveyre), 1951/52
Technique: Original Stamp Signed and Numbered Aquatint BFK Rives Wove Paper
Paper size: 65.5 x 50.5 cm. / 25.8 x 19.9 in.
Image size: 43.2 x 34.8 cm. / 17 x 13.7 in.
Additional Information: This original aquatint is stamp signed in black ink with the artist’s monogram “HM.” in the lower right margin.
It is also stamped in black ink “epr. D’art.” (épreuve d’artiste) [artist’s proof]. It is one of six stamp numbered artist’s proofs from a total of 33 impressions.
The subject was conceived, but not included in André Rouveyre’s book ‘Apollinaire, Paris, éd. Raisons d’Être’, which was published in 1952.
The paper bears the BFK Rives watermark in the lower left corner.
Literature: Duthuit C. (1983). Henri Matisse: Catalogue Raisonné de L’Oeuvre Grave Tome II, Paris.
Reference: Duthuit 825
Condition: Excellent condition.
HENRI MATISSE 1869-1954
(Emile Benoît) Le Cateau-Cambrésis 1869-1954 Nice (French)
Title: Odalisque with Brasero and Bowl of Fruits | Odalisque, brasero et coupe de fruits, 1929
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph on Arches Wove Paper
Paper size: 38 x 57.2 cm. / 14.9 x 22 in.
Additional Information: This original lithograph is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Henri Matisse” in the lower right margin.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 100, in the lower right margin. There were also a small number of artist’s proofs aside from the standard edition of 100.
This composition was inspired by a painting realised by the artist in Nice titled “L’Odalisque couchée, Harmonie Rouge, 1927”.
Note: An odalisque was a female slave or concubine in an Ottoman seraglio, especially the Imperial Harem of the sultan. The Odalisque became a highly inspiring subject for painters during the 19th century. The motif even contributed to an art movement called Orientalism. This term was used to qualify paintings that depited lifestyle in Middle East. Delacroix is one artist often associated with Orientalism. Henri Matisse visited the French colonies in North Africa (Algeria in 1906 and Morocco in 1912–13) where the brilliant light, exotic environment and Moorish architecture inspired a new body of work. His odalisques have been described by art historian Roger Benjamin as ‘elaborate fictions’ in which the artist re-created the image of the Islamic harem using French models posed in his Nice apartment. The fabrics, screens, carpets, furnishings and costuming recalled the exoticism of the ‘Orient’ and provided a theme for Matisse’s preoccupation with the figure and elaborate pattern.
Other impressions of this work are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Literature: Duthuit C. (1983). Henri Matisse: Catalogue Raisonné de L’Oeuvre Grave Tome II, Paris.
Reference: Duthuit 504
Condition: Very good condition. A skilfully repaired tear in the upper left sheet edge measuring 35 mm.
HENRI MATISSE 1869-1954
(Emile Benoît)
Le Cateau-Cambrésis 1869-1954 Nice (French)
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph on Arches Wove Paper
Paper size: 50.1 x 32.4 cm. / 19.7 x 12.8 in.
Image size: 46 x 28 cm. / 18.1 x 11 in.
Additional Information: This original lithograph is signed in pencil by the artist “Henri Matisse.” at the lower right margin.
The work is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 130, above the signature.
This lithograph was printed by Atelier Duchâtel, Paris in a limited edition of 130 numbered impressions on Arches paper. There were also five impressions on Chine applique and 15 on Japan paper and a small number of proofs before the edition.
It was published by Editions de la Galerie d’Art Contemporain, Paris in 1927.
The paper bears the Arches watermark in the left margin.
Note:
The Dix Danseuses [Ten Dancers] suite by Matisse is considered one of the finest collections of this subject matter by any of the Impressionist artists. The suite depicts a single model in the same dress and distinctive pearls, in a variety of poses. All of which are at ease, the dancer at rest. The subject of the ballet attracted Matisse like many of the Impressionists. The preface for this suite of ten lithographs was written by the respected art critic Waldemar George [Waldemar Jarocinski], who was a leading supporter of the Modernist movement and École de Paris.
Provenance: Fujikawa Galleries Inc., Osaka
Literature: Duthuit C. (1983). Henri Matisse: Catalogue Raisonné de L’Oeuvre Grave Tome II, Paris.
Reference: Duthuit 482
Condition: Very good condition. Pale time-staining across the image. Areas of scattered foxing across the sheet. The upper right corner with a soft fold.
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is considered the most important French artist of the 20th century and, along with Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential modernist painters of the last century. Matisse began studying drawing and painting in the 1890s. A student of the masters of Post-Impressionism, Matisse later made a reputation for himself as the leader of a group of painters known as Les Fauves. An ironic label given to them by a critic (it means “wild beasts”), the name reflected Matisse´s aggressive strokes and bold use of primary colors. In 1905 Matisse gained sudden fame with three paintings, including Woman with the Hat, purchased by the wealthy American ex-patriot Gertrude Stein. Beyond painting, he worked with lithographs and sculpture, and during World War II he did a series of book designs. Later in his career he experimented with paper cutouts and designed decorations for the Dominican chapel in Vence, France. Along with Picasso, Matisse was considered one of the world´s greatest living painters throughout his life. His other works include “The Dance” (1910), “Red Fish” (1911) and “The Moroccan in Green” (1913).
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is considered the most important French artist of the 20th century and, along with Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential modernist painters of the last century. Matisse began studying drawing and painting in the 1890s. A student of the masters of Post-Impressionism, Matisse later made a reputation for himself as the leader of a group of painters known as Les Fauves. An ironic label given to them by a critic (it means \"wild beasts\"), the name reflected Matisse´s aggressive strokes and bold use of primary colors. In 1905 Matisse gained sudden fame with three paintings, including Woman with the Hat, purchased by the wealthy American ex-patriot Gertrude Stein. Beyond painting, he worked with lithographs and sculpture, and during World War II he did a series of book designs. Later in his career he experimented with paper cutouts and designed decorations for the Dominican chapel in Vence, France. Along with Picasso, Matisse was considered one of the world´s greatest living painters throughout his life. His other works include \"The Dance\" (1910), \"Red Fish\" (1911) and \"The Moroccan in Green\" (1913).
