A rare and beautifully illustrated complete four-volume set of Cahiers Henri Matisse, published in 1986 by the Musée Matisse, Nice.
Created as a series of specialized exhibition catalogues, these volumes explore four distinct areas of Henri Matisse’s artistic life and work. Rather than a conventional retrospective, the series focuses closely on specific themes, making it an especially interesting set for Matisse enthusiasts, collectors, and lovers of French art books.
French text throughout.
The Four Volumes
Vol. 1 — Matisse et Tahiti
Documents Matisse’s 1930 journey to Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands, as well as the lasting influence of Oceania on his work. The volume also follows works connected to his memories of Tahiti through 1953.
157 pages.
Vol. 2 — Matisse: Photographies
Explores photography in relation to Matisse and his artistic world, featuring photographs of people, places, objects, and the environments surrounding his work.
Published for the 1986 exhibition at the Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret, Nice.
Vol. 3 — Matisse: L’Art du Livre
Dedicated to Matisse’s work with books and printed matter, including illustrated books, albums, publications, and graphic works.
143 pages.
Vol. 4 — Matisse: Ajaccio–Toulouse, 1898–1899
Focuses on the young Matisse during his early painting years in Ajaccio and Toulouse, before the Fauvist period for which he became famous.
127 pages.
The four volumes were part of a distinctive exhibition series created by the Musée Matisse, with the fourth volume also connected to the Musée d’Art Moderne de Toulouse. Contemporary art scholarship described the series as unusually focused, beautifully illustrated exhibition catalogues devoted to specific themes in Matisse’s career.
Details
• Artist: Henri Matisse
• Title: Cahiers Henri Matisse, Volumes 1–4
• Publisher: Musée Matisse, Nice
• Publication: 1986
• Language: French
• Format: Illustrated softcover
• Volumes: 4
• Illustrations: Extensively illustrated, including color and black-and-white reproductions and photographs
• Pages: 157 / 130+ / 143 / 127
• Condition: Very good vintage condition with light wear throughout. Please see photos for details.
A scarce complete set of an important French Matisse exhibition series—an especially desirable find for collectors of Matisse, French modernism, and vintage art books.
