内容説明
Although Henri Matisse's paintings and drawings are some of the most revered in the art world, his cut-outs are widely believed to represent the culmination of his artistic career. This volume examines all aspects of Matisse's cut-outs, from the early models for "Jazz" to the large-scale works that dominated his final creative period. When "Jazz", Matisse's handmade book of paper cut-outs was published in the early 1940s, it was considered a dramatic new step for the artist, who had already blazed new ground as the father of the Fauvist movement. In his paintings Matisse had long been working toward a goal of a perfect synthesis of line and colour. By putting scissor to coloured paper, he was able to refine his technique, and he came to see the cut-out as his primary artistic medium in his late career. This collection of reproductions and critical essays seeks to offer a chance to appreciate the full spectrum of Matisse's work in this medium, and presents discoveries about their connection to his earliest works, methods, philosophies and vision of paradise.
From Publishers Weekly
The genius of Henri Matisse is captured in this vibrant collection of his paper cut-outs, his primary form of expression in the latter part of his career. As Michel Anthonioz, former director of the Musée d'Orsay, writes, the cut-outs allowed Matisse to "bridge the gap between his paintings and drawings, between colour and line." Although the technique of cutting out pieces of paper and gluing them together might sound elementary, the results can be breathtaking. Some works are beautifully simple, such as 1945's The Daisy, which depicts the plain white flower against a soothing green background; others are astonishing in their detail, such as Matisse's oil masterpiece, The Dance. Each piece, however, exudes a sensation of sheer joy, the vibrant colors and playful designs leaping off every page. The editors weave lengthy commentary on Matisse's life and career throughout the book, and while the historical information is essential to understanding the context of Matisse's brilliance, the overabundance of text sometimes takes away from the art's solitary beauty. Nonetheless, this collection of Matisse's paper masterpieces is an essential for aficionados of his art.
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