It was the last chapter of an amazing run. When he was no longer able to paint due to declining health Henri Matisse came up with a new way to express himself; Paper Cut Outs.
He turned in his paintbrush for a pair of scissors and would carve and cut painted paper into an amazing array of work.
Beginning in April a new exhibition at the Tate Modern will be “first and perhaps only time that 120 of Matisse’s cut-outs have been assembled in one place from collections around the world – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the full scope of these late works in all their colourful, vibrant glory.”
The Sheaf
One of the first fruits of his new found medium was the publication of Jazz, an album of twenty color prints with calligraphic text by Matisse. It was printed in an edition of 100 copies and is recognized as a hi-spot of 20th century artist books.
Original lithographic poster 1947
The Snail
After the run at the Tate the exhibit will move to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Here is a short video of the master at work
[youtube]http://youtu.be/GN0okOq8Hyc[/youtube]
Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs | Tate.
Paper Cut Outs – henri-matisse.net