One of the most extraordinary draughtsmen of the 20th Century and a colourist of unsurpassed brilliance, Henri Matisse was a trailblazer in every respect, and we at the Paragon Gallery are thrilled to announce a new exhibition of the artist’s graphic work, to be held this summer. The exhibition will open with a Private View evening on Thursday 3rd July from 5-8pm. Join us in the gallery for a glass of wine and dive into the wonderful world of Matisse.
In addition to his work as a painter and sculptor Matisse was a lifelong devotee of printmaking, producing more than eight hundred pieces in this format during his sixty-year career. In these intimate works his fierce skills of observation and experimental attitude towards form hold centre stage. An extended love letter to the drawn line, these prints trace the ceaseless course of invention and poetry that informed his art from the very beginning.
From sinuous linocuts, to dazzling lithographs, to vintage exhibition posters, we invite you to join us on a journey through a lesser-known part of the artist’s oeuvre.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history from one of the true giants of art. An original piece can hang on your wall for so much less than you might think. The Paragon is thrilled to be able to throw open the world of Matisse to our visitors, and look forward to welcoming you this July.
“L’Escargot” Lithograph, 1954, from the suite The Last Works
Between 1950 and 1954 Matisse created some highly innovative, brightly coloured gouache paper cut-outs. Severe arthritis had made it difficult for him to paint. In 1953 it was decided to reinterpret these works as lithographs. Matisse personally directed and supervised the first 'pulls' during 1954, in collaboration with the renowned lithographers Mourlot Frères of Paris. These prints are original lithographs from the 1954 edition after Matisse’s cutouts.