About this artwork
Directly related to his memories of Tahiti, this work by Matisse is part of the publication, Jazz. In 1942 the publisher Elf Tériade, commissioned Matisse to make a book of colour images. Matisse selected Jazz as the title to reflect the vibrancy and rhythm of the images and although conceived as a book on the circus he began to incorporate other subjects and motifs, such as this image of the Lagoon. Matisse described the three lagoon works in the publication to his nurse, Lydia Delectorskaya, as 'simply the shimmering colours of the tropics, with animals or undulating forms, evocations of calm waters'. Following surgery for cancer in 1941, Matisse began to work with cut-outs; the sensual forms of the cut paper became an iconic part of his practice.
Updated before 2020
-
artist:Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954) French
-
title:Le Lagon [The Lagoon] (from 'Jazz')
-
date created:1947
-
materials:Pochoir print on paper
-
measurements:42.00 x 65.50 cm (opened page size)
-
object type:
-
credit line:Purchased 1981
-
accession number:GMA 2284.36
-
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...