John Klein – författare

A brand new look at the extremely beautiful, if underappreciated, later works of one of the most inventive artists of the 20th centuryBetween 1935 and his death at midcentury, Henri Matisse (1869–1954) undertook many decorative projects and commissions. These include mural paintings, stained glass, ceramic tiles, lead crystal pieces, carpets, tapestries, fashion fabrics, and accessories—work that has received no significant treatment until now. By presenting a wealth of new insights and unpublished material, including from the artist’s own correspondence, John Klein, an internationally acclaimed specialist in the art of Matisse, offers a richer and more balanced view of Matisse’s ambitions and achievements in the often-neglected later phases of his career.  Matisse designed many of these decorations in the innovative—and widely admired—medium of the paper cut-out, whose function and significance Klein reevaluates. Matisse and Decoration also opens a window onto the revival and promotion, following World War II, of traditional French decorative arts as part of France’s renewed sense of cultural preeminence. For the first time, the idea of the decorative in Matisse’s work and the actual decorations he designed for specific settings are integrated in one account, amounting to an understanding of this modern master’s work that is simultaneously more nuanced and more comprehensive.

A unique opportunity to experience the full brilliance of Matisse, featuring major works from museums, foundations, and private collections—many rarely shown in the United States.This definitive volume offers an unparalleled look at Henri Matisse’s lifelong pursuit of form, created to accompany a landmark exhibition. Showcasing more than fifty paintings, works on paper, and sculptures, it brings together a remarkable range of material in one beautifully crafted book.The publication underscores the interdisciplinary nature of Matisse’s practice, presenting the dialogue between the artist’s two- and three-dimensional work. It traces his evolution from the early years of the twentieth century through his boldly innovative postwar period.A major contribution to Matisse studies and an indispensable resource for collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts, this volume preserves a rare, non-traveling exhibition for a global audience—offering a vivid, enduring record of Matisse’s transformative vision.