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A Second Life
Undergoes surgery for duodenal cancer in Lyon and nearly dies of complication.
Is often confined to bed. Focuses on serial drawings and publishes the book Thèmes et Variations with a preface by the poet and resistance fighter Louis Aragon whom he met in Nice in December 1941.
Monique Bourgeois, Matisse’s nurse and model, becomes Sister Jacques-Marie in 1944.
"Matisse à la villa Le Rêve", Vence, 1946, Photo: Archives Henri Matisse / D. R.
In late June, moves to the villa Le Rêve in Vence. Using his cut-out technique, works on the illustrations for the book Jazz published by Tériade.
Illustrates the Fleurs du Mal by Baudelaire. Marguerite Duthuit (his daughter) and Amélie Matisse are arrested for their participation in the Resistance.
"Salon d’automne de 1945", couverture du catalogue d’exposition, Photo: Ville de Nice, Musée Matisse
"Salon d’automne de 1945", page intérieure du catalogue d’exposition, Photo: Ville de Nice, Musée Matisse
"Henri Matisse", exposition inaugurale de la galerie Maeght, 13 rue de Téhéran, Paris, 7-29 décembre 1945. Photographie anonyme. Photothèque Musée Matisse Nice.
Returns regularly to Paris. Retrospective exhibition at the Salon d’Automne and presentation of his recent works at the Maeght gallery. In the Vence studio, Jean Cassou selects seven paintings bought by the French State.
"Nature morte aux grenades", Vence, novembre 1947, huile sur toile, coll. Musée Matisse, Nice © Succession H. Matisse Photo: François Fernandez
Maquettes pour les tentures "Océanie, le ciel" et "Océanie, la mer" boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris, 1946 Photo : Archives Henri Matisse / D.R.
Starts developing his series of Vence Interiors, his last major achievement as a painter.
Works on two large silkscreens for Zika Ascher – Océanie, le Ciel and Oceanie, la mer – using paper cut-outs.