Matisse and the Joy of Drawing

Traces the evolution of Matisses work on paper, from experimental beginnings to the artists instantly recognizable mature style An internationally recognized expert in the European tradition of draughtsmanship, Christopher Lloyd offers rare insights about the technical qualities of Matisses drawings. This book traces the evolution of Matisses large and varied body of drawings and works on paperincluding graphic work, the celebrated cut-outs and the famous decoration of the Chapel of the Rosary at Vence, France. The artists drawings are contextualized within his own biography and times, from vibrant early twentieth-century Paris to later periods in luxurious Nice. Lively prose and a wealth of reproductions illustrate Matisses versatility in different media and his innovative, expansive concept of drawing. Despite the variety of his output, the work always reflects the artists constant desire to express pure emotion in visual terms. Since 2014, Christopher Lloyd has published four highly successful books on the drawings of modern artists. This book follows his most recent publication, Picasso and the Art of Drawing. With over 150 illustrations, including archival photographs of Matisses studio and the artist at work, this volume concisely covers Matisses entire graphic oeuvre. Distributed for Modern Art Press