Henri Matisse was a pioneering French artist whose mastery of colour, form and composition placed him at the forefront of 20th-century art. As a leading figure in the Fauvist movement, Matisse continued to evolve creatively throughout his life, shifting from traditional painting to increasingly experimental forms of expression.
Lot 100; HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH 1869-1954) Formes (Forms)1947
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000
In 1941, Matisse was diagnosed with abdominal cancer. The subsequent surgery left him largely bedridden and dependent on a wheelchair. Despite these physical limitations, Matisse's creativity did not wane. Instead, he developed an entirely new method of working: the cut-out technique.
Using gouache-painted paper, he began cutting bold, fluid shapes and arranging them into vibrant compositions. This approach allowed him to work from bed or chair, and in doing so, he created some of the most iconic work of his career. Chief among these is the celebrated Jazz portfolio.
Lot 101: HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH 1869-1954) L'Avaleur de sabres (The Sword-Swallower)1947
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000
The Jazz series, first published in 1947 by the Paris-based publisher Tériade, consists of 20 pochoir prints created from Matisse’s original cut-outs. It was inspired by his memories of the circus, folklore and his travels to the South Seas.
The pochoir technique allowed for precise layering of colours using stencils, maintaining the vibrancy and spontaneity of Matisse’s original designs. Each plate is accompanied by vivid titles and poetic descriptions by Matisse, recorded by his assistant and collaborator Lydia Delectorskaya.
Chiswick Auctions is pleased to offer a selection of nine of these rare and dynamic Jazz prints in the Prints and Multiples sale on 13 February.
Lot 103: HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH 1869-1954) Le Cauchemar de l'Elephant blanc (The Nightmare of the White Elephant) 1947
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000
‘’the white elephant (white is a symbol of animals that are victims of taming, captivity) is performing its act standing on a ball, under dazzling lights, while memories of his native black forest (black is primitive and powerful) assail him like red tongues of fire, with all the violence of arrows”
Lot 104:HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH 1869-1954) Le Cirque (The Circus) 1947
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000
“the banderole, the red carpet, the tightrope walker”
Lot 105: HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH 1869-1954) Le Cow-Boy (The Cowboy) 1947
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000
“the cowboy whose horse is rearing up lassoes a woman”
Lot 107: HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH 1869-1954) L'Enterrement de Pierrot (The Funeral of Pierrot) 1947
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000
“a funeral, dead autumn leaves; buts it’s a Pierrot’s funeral, it’s bright and spruce”
These prints embody the essence of Matisse’s later style, bold, joyful, expressive – while reflecting a period of immense personal challenge and resilience. Jazz remains a crowning achievement in 20th-century printmaking.
Get in touch with the Prints and Multiples Department at prints@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit an online valuation.