Henri Matisse Figure devant tapa africain (Figure in Front of African Tapa, 1929 is a delicate and intimate work from the artist’s Nice period. In this work, a woman with somber eyes is placed in the center of the composition, her gaze focused somewhere beyond the left side of the viewer. She is adorned in delicate clothing and jewelry which mimic her aura. As the title suggests, she is placed in front of a patterned textile of African origins that display a pattern of floral imagery. The lithographic lines in this work are elegant and delicate, making this an exquisite and intimate work.

Created in 1929, Henri Matisse Figure devant tapa africain (Figure in Front of African Tapa, 1929) is a lithograph on China paper. This work is hand-signed by Henri Matisse (Le Cateau-Cambrésis, 1869 – Nice, 1954)  in pencil in the lower right image. Inscribed “ep. d’artiste” (artist proof) from the edition of 10 artists proofs aside from the numbered edition of 50 in pencil in the lower right image.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Henri Matisse (Le Cateau-Cambrésis, 1869 – Nice, 1954) Figure devant tapa africain (Figure in Front of African Tapa), 1929 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Duthuit-Matisse, Marguerite and Claude Duthuit. Henri Matisse: Catalogue Raisonné de l’Œuvre Gravé - Tome II, Paris, 1983. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no.515.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Henri Matisse Figure devant tapa africain (Figure in Front of African Tapa, 1929 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.