Catalogue - Henri Matisse : Chemin de croix - French Version

Description

Of all his works, Matisse's Way of the Cross is perhaps the most radical and undoubtedly the most unique, as it is closely linked to the creation of his chapel in Vence, which was inaugurated in 1951. From 1 October 2025 to 19 January 2026, the Matisse Museum will be honouring this Way of the Cross by presenting the genesis of the work in its exhibition, from the first ideas sketched on paper to the final realisation on ceramic tiles. When the Dominican Rosary Chapel in Vence was completed, it was the result of several years of immense work by Henri Matisse, who thought through every detail: architecture, furniture, ornaments, decoration, stained glass windows... For this project, he produced a considerable amount of preparatory graphic work, studying and detailing each element of the future chapel, including the Way of the Cross. This collection includes original charcoal and pencil drawings, extracts from notebooks and sketchbooks, prints, and more, from the Matisse Museum and the Chapel of Vence collections. The catalogue reflects the work itself: spiritual, minimalist, and bold, revealing universal pain.

English edition to be published in November 2025