Matisse at war

Abstract

During World War II, French artist Henri Matisse and his family remained in Nazi-occupied France despite the dangers of war. Matisse at War examines this period of the artist's life, highlighting his and his family's connections to the French Resistance and the significant artworks he created during this time. Drawing on letters and archival materials, the book explores Matisse's personal and artistic challenges, his development of the paper cut-out technique, and the wartime experiences of his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Contents

Prologue: Man out of time -- La famille -- The luminosity of days -- Lydia -- The piano lesson -- Flanking maneuvers -- Flight from Paris -- Scoundrels and martyrs -- Brush with death -- Paris under the Swastika -- Zone nono -- Escape to New York -- Themes and variations -- A measure of sovereignty -- The war within -- Falling to Earth -- The hunting ground -- The stuff of warriors -- Wound my heart -- The wolf -- La Libération! -- The miracle of Marguerite -- Only for the light -- The language of dreams.