Running concurrently as the exhibition “Henri Matisse. The Stations of the Cross – Drawing the Passion“, an exhibition devoted to Saint Dominic is being held at the Matisse Chapel in Vence.
To make the exhibition at the Musée Matisse Nice and the Baltimore Museum of Art possible, the Dominican Sisters of Vence have generously loaned the complete collection of preparatory drawings for the Stations of the Cross in their care – a rare opportunity to showcase Matisse’s priceless bequest.
In return, the Musée Matisse Nice is lending the Chapel of the Rosary a group of preparatory drawings for the ceramic of Saint Dominic. Rarely seen together, these studies shed new light on the creation of another of the chapel’s major ceramic works. The chapel’s large drawings on ceramic never fail to amaze visitors with their striking simplicity. The graffiti-like fine black lines drawn onto white-glazed terracotta tiles form a kind of visual script that resonates with the stained-glass windows. Created for the sanctuary, Saint Dominic held
Matisse’s attention for many months. The saint’s tall figure, notably inspired by Father Couturier, occupies a spectacular vertical space, recalling Matisse’s remark upon arriving in New York that he wished to “draw on the skyscrapers”.
The series of drawings exhibited in the chapel’s museum shows the many studies focusing in turn on the hood, the folds of Saint Dominic’s garment, his head, his hand, and his book.
Another group of works relates to Matisse’s creation of a Saint Dominic for another religious building: the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grâce on the Plateau d’Assy in Haute-Savoie.