About this artwork
Following surgery for cancer in 1941, Matisse struggled to stand by an easel and instead made cut-outs while confined to his bed or wheelchair. In 1942 the publisher, Elf Tériade, commissioned Matisse to make a book of colour images. Matisse conceived it as a book on the circus although began to incorporate other subjects and motifs. Whilst the clowns are comedic aspect of circus performance, parts of the act are also tragi-comic, for example the death of Pierrot and his funeral as represented here.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954) French
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title:L'enterrement de Pierrot [The Burial of Pierrot] (from 'Jazz')
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date created:1947
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materials:Pochoir print on paper
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measurements:42.00 x 65.50 cm (opened page size)
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1981
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accession number:GMA 2284.19
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gallery:
Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse
Matisse began taking drawing classes as a way of relieving the boredom of his job as a solicitor's clerk. However, in 1891 he abandoned his legal career in favour of painting, studying at various schools in Paris. In 1905 he exhibited with a number of artists who were dubbed by a critic, Les fauves...