Description:

Henri Matisse
n.p., n.d.
Henri Matisse ANS Mentioning Stained Glass Windows At Rosary Chapel!
ANS

A 1p autograph note in French signed by celebrated modern artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954) as "H Matisse" at lower center. N.d., n.p. Inscribed on watermarked paper with one contemporaneous edit, the crossed out word "midi" replaced with "onze." Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. Isolated tiny closed tears along the top edge. Discrete mounting tabs located along the top edge verso. Else near fine. 8.125" x 10.5." Accompanied by a glossy black and white photograph showing Matisse in an artist's smock with a fistful of brushes and a massive palette. Printed on Kodak photo paper. 5.5" x 7.5."

Matisse addressed this note to "the very Reverend Mother Gilles," who we speculate might have been the Mother Superior of the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence (Rosary Chapel of Vence).

Matisse wrote in full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"Je prie la T[rès] Reverende Mère Gilles de laisser voir à mes amis les vitraux de la Chapelle - de 10 1/2 à onze heures 1/2 comme convenu.

Je vous remercie

H Matisse."

Translated in full:

"I beg the V[ery] Reverend Mother Gilles to let my friends see the Chapel stained glass windows - from 10:30 to 11:30 as convenient.

I thank you

H Matisse."

Henri Matisse spent four years, 1947-1951, designing and overseeing the interior decoration of the Rosary Chapel (since dubbed the Matisse Chapel) at Vence, France. Matisse wrote in June 1951 of the project that "despite all of its imperfections, [it is] my masterpiece."

Henri Matisse had been approached about the chapel project by Monique Bourgeois (1921-2005), his former night nurse, occasional model, and close friend. Bourgeois had become a Dominican nun in 1946, taking the name Soeur Jacques-Marie. Members of her convent, Les Dominicaines de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame du Très Saint Rosaire, [the Dominicans of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Very Holy Rosary], had been worshipping in a garage and wanted a clean, new, modern space in which to practice their devotion.

Ultimately, Matisse designed three sets of stained glass windows for the small chapel - all dominated by a soothing color palette of blue, green, and yellow - and closely collaborated with glassmaker Paul Bony. The stained glass window nearest to the altar is entitled "L'Arbre de Vie" ["Tree of Life"]. In addition to the stained glass windows, Matisse also designed several painted tile murals of biblical scenes in striking black and white. The chapel was consecrated by the Bishop of Nice in June 1951; sadly, Matisse's health problems prevented him from attending the ceremony.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.125" x 10.5"
  • Medium: ANS

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