In 1942, Henri MATISSE was asked to create a book of colored paper cut-outs. He decided to use his then-preferred technique of cut-outs, filling the pages with carefully crafted collages and clashing colors on gouache-painted paper. His initial inspiration was the circus and its iconography of lonely acrobats, folklore and distant travels. Later, the publisher suggested Jazz as a title, which led the artist to visually explore the link between art and musical improvisation.

The solo edition depicts an artwork created by Matisse for a poster that announced the first exhibition of the Jazz illustrated book at the Pierre Beres Gallery in 1947. Four white birds are traversing somewhat chaotically through a solid blue background. In so few lines, MATISSE managed to capture a scene which is both dynamic and balanced, building heavily on the color blue – a symbol of distance and volume.

2024 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York