Matisse: Cut-outs

Matisse with Assistants (circa early 1950s)

I'm sharing this selection of Matisse's paper cut outs because they are a fascinating bridge between drawing and painting. The drawn line becomes the cut line of the scissors. No outlines, just shapes. Painting is often considered a game of shapes where color meets color. Here the interaction of color is heightened and pronounced and yet the underlying drawn quality remains. Also I like to share these because even in his 80s and with only a few years left to live, he died in 1954 at the age of 84, he continued to advance his art despite waning energy and physical ability. Where there is a will there is a way.

 

Matisse's Studio

Examples of Matisse's cut-outs

His exhibition of cut-outs at Moma (more here)

Matisse's painting The Red Studio, 1911