Henri Matisse (1869-1954)

Henri Matisse is often regarded as the most important French painter of the 20th century. The leader of the Fauvist movement around 1900, Matisse pursued the expressiveness of color throughout his career. His subjects were largely domestic or figurative, and a distinct Mediterranean verve presides in the treatment.

Please contact us for further information if you have an interest in original drawings or paintings by Henri Matisse.

The graphics offered here are from an extremely rare wartime portfolio which came to us complete from an agent for the Matisse family. The portfolio, “Matisse DESSINS: Themes et Variations”, was published in Paris, (1943). These original lithographs, (12 ¾ x 9 ½ inches), are from number 647 of an edition of 950. The portfolio consists of 158 images, (drawings) completed in 1941 and 42. There are seventeen themes, both figurative and still life, with several variations on each theme. Each print is signed, dated, with theme and variation number in the plate. Several examples available are shown here.

Lithographs. Dessins:Themes et Variations

N5 Mediterranean
B2 Reclining Woman

N6 Mediterranean

B6 Reclining Woman

L18 Mediterranean
C6 Reclining Woman

L19 Mediterranean

D8 Reclining Woman

H4 Still Life with Vase

E11 Seated Woman

G5 Still Life with Seashell

H8 Still Life with Vases and Gourds

Set of four blue nudes, lithographs published 1958 printed by Mourlot Paris,
each sheet 10 1/2 x 14 inches, signed in plate.





VERVE II, 1943 lithograph (rare)
printed by Mourlot Paris
sheet size 10 1/2 x 14 1/2 inches
original signature