Matisse's last major work 《Flowers and Fruits》 is exhibited for the first time in Japan. Henri Matisse – Forms in Freedom will be held at The National Art Center, Tokyo from Wed, Februaly 14 to Monday, May 27, 2024. Matisse's last major work 《Flowers and Fruits》 is exhibited for the first time in Japan. Henri Matisse – Forms in Freedom will be held at The National Art Center, Tokyo from Wed, Februaly 14 to Monday, May 27, 2024.

Henri Matisse -
Forms in Freedom

Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is known as one of the greatest masters of 20th-century art. He emerged in Paris as a central figure in Fauvism, a style characterized by the daring liberation of color from the role of reproducing nature. In Nice, where he spent most of the latter half of his life, Matisse prolifically painted a remarkable variety of models and objects at his studio, and eventually arrived at the series known as Cut-Outs, in which he cut shapes and images out of colored paper with scissors and pasted them onto other sheets of paper.

This exhibition will feature a total of about 150 works and archival materials from the collection of the Musée Matisse Nice, France, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and textiles, with a particular focus on the Cut-Outs. Notably, Flowers and Fruits, a large and stunning Cut-Out from the museum's collection, is a must-see, restored in France for this exhibition and on view in Japan for the first time.

The exhibition will also focus on the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence (often referred to as the Vence Chapel), which was built in Matisse's final years and can be seen as a culmination of his long career, and will present aspects of this great masterpiece from architecture to interior decoration and liturgical garments.

HIGHLIGHTS

Complete introduction to
Matisse's favored method: Cut-Outs

This is the first time that an exhibition in Japan has centered around Cut-Outs, which Matisse was fixated on in his later years. This would become his most outstanding form of expression at the pinnacle of his long life as an artist.

Henri Matisse(1869-1954)© Archivio Storico della Biennale di Venezia – ASAC photo by Interfoto

Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
© Archivio Storico della Biennale di Venezia – ASAC
photo by Interfoto

Henri Matisse, Danseuse créole, 1950 © Succession H. Matisse Photo: François Fernandez

Henri Matisse, Creole Dancer, 1950
205 × 120 cm Musée Matisse, Nice
© Succession H. Matisse Photo: François Fernandez

First display in Japan
of the 4 x 8 meter masterpiece
Flowers and Fruits

Flowers and Fruits is the Cut-Out masterpiece that greets visitors as they enter the main hall of the Musée Matisse Nice.
This is the first display of Flowers and Fruits in Japan following its restoration for the purpose of this exhibition.

Henri Matisse, Fleurs et fruits, 1952-1953
© Succession H. Matisse Photo: François Fernandez

Henri Matisse, Flowers and Fruits, 1952-1953
410 × 870 cm Musée Matisse, Nice
© Succession H. Matisse Photo: François Fernandez

Experience the chapel that was
the culmination of Matisse's artistic
endeavors

© Succession H. Matisse Photo: François Fernandez

© Succession H. Matisse Photo: François Fernandez

The Chapelle du Rosaire, constructed in Vence in the outskirts of Nice, is the culmination of Matisse's artistic endeavors. Matisse made use of Cut-Outs from his later years and designed the interior decorations of the building as well as the priestly vestments. The exhibition hall will recreate the experience of being inside the chapel.

Exhibition Henri Matisse – Forms in Freedom
Dates February 14 (Wed.) - May 27 (Mon.), 2024
Closed Tuesdays *Open on April 30 (Tue.)
Venue The National Art Center, Tokyo
Special Exhibition Gallery 2E
7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8558
Opening Hours 10:00 - 18:00 *10:00 - 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays
*Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Organized by The National Art Center, Tokyo; Musée Matisse, Nice; The Yomiuri Shimbun; Nippon Television Network Corporation
With the special
sponsorship of
Canon
With
the sponsorship of
Dai Nippon Printing (DNP)
With the
cooperation of
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.; Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd.; YAMATO TRANSPORT CO., LTD.
With
the support of
Embassy of France/French Institute of Japan; J-WAVE
Access
Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line,Nogizaka Station,
Direct access from Exit 6
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line,Roppongi Station,
Approximately 5-minute walk from Exit 4a
Toei Oedo Subway Line,Roppongi Station,
Approximately 4-minute walk from Exit 7
access map
Inquiries (+81) 47-316-2772 (Hello Dial)