“Henri Matisse, How I Made My Books” reveals a little-known talent of the artist

From the 1920s and until the end of his life, Matisse carried out significant work on the illustration of literary texts, including certain great classics of French or world literature: Mallarmé, Baudelaire, Ronsard, Joyce…

The exhibition “Henri Matisse, How I made my Books” is therefore the opportunity to discover the complete artist that Matisse was, experienced in all techniques and inventor of innovative processes. It is part of an ambitious program aimed at promoting the museum's collections: that of Henri Matisse in the first place, but also that of Tériade. A significant part of the latter's collection was donated by his widow to the departmental museum.

The works presented from every angle

The exhibition presents 14 books on which Matisse worked on the general composition, illustrations, layout but also the choice of typography, papers and selection of texts. Added to this are four books of drawings, composed by him, and the covers composed by Matisse for the magazine Verve, published by his friend Tériade.

Among the works presented, many cannot be permanently exhibited due to their sensitivity to light: “Henri Matisse, Comment j'ai fait mes livres” is therefore a rare opportunity to discover them. In addition to works belonging to the museum, the exhibition is supplemented by loans from individuals and other museums (Matisse Museum in Nice, Museum of Fine Arts in Cambrai, Forum Antique in Bavay, Museum in Boulogne-sur-Mer) .

Exhibition mounted with the support of SG Crédit du Nord.

Henri Matisse, Jazz, Pl. Les Codomas 1947, Paris. Gouache Linel with stencil, printed on Arches vellum paper (42.5 x 65.6 cm) Gift Alice Tériade, 2000 Henri Matisse Museum, Le Cateau-Cambrésis.