Matisse Live from Tate Modern

Last week I was lucky enough to go to the cinema to see a live broadcast of "Henri Matisse: The Cut Outs" from Tate Modern.  It was presented by Francine Stock and Nicholas Serota and was 90 minutes of sheer delight.  The event was a one off and as well as a look at the Cut Outs included a behind the scenes look at the exhibition and new dance and jazz from Zenaida Yanowsky and Courtney Pine respectively.

Simon Russell Beale spoke the words of Matisse and clearly had a real affinity with the artist.  There was new footage of Matisse at work and everything was pulled together by interviews with experts who added their own insights.  I know there's no substitute for the real thing but I feel I got a private viewing and a tutorial rolled into one. 

Work discussed included The Snail and The Parakeet and the Mermaid.  

The Snail 1953
www.tate.org.uk

The installation of The Parakeet and the Mermaid at the Tate Modern
www.tate.org.uk

We were shown how and why the hanging decisions for The Blue Nudes were made and that was particularly interesting.

Blue Nude 1952
www.bbc.co.uk

There was also a very informative look around the Chapel of the Rosary at Vence that Matisse financed and decorated.

 Chapel of the Rosary at Vence (1948-51)
www.bridgemanimages.com

I found it fascinating that at the end of such a long, productive life Matisse could invent something so vibrant, sensual and full of movement that was also completely new.

I've gone scuttling back to my copy of  "Matisse: The Master" by Hilary Spurling to immerse myself a bit more.

Spurling, H.  (2006)  Matisse: The Master.  Penguin.  London