Matisse and the Joy of Drawing

Matisse and the Joy of Drawing traces the evolution of Matisse’s work on paper, from experimental beginnings to the artist’s instantly recognisable mature style.

An internationally recognised expert in the European tradition of draughtsmanship, Christopher Lloyd offers rare insights about the technical qualities of Matisse’s drawings. This book traces the evolution of Matisse’s large and varied body of drawings and works on paper—including graphic work, the celebrated cut-outs and the famous decoration of the Chapel of the Rosary at Vence, France.

The artist’s drawings are contextualised within his own biography and times, from vibrant early twentieth-century Paris to later periods in luxurious Nice. Lively prose and a wealth of reproductions illustrate Matisse’s versatility in different media and his innovative, expansive concept of drawing. Despite the variety of his output, the work always reflects the artist’s constant desire to express pure emotion in visual terms.

Since 2014, Christopher Lloyd has published four highly successful books on the drawings of modern artists. This book follows his most recent publication, Picasso and the Art of Drawing. With over 150 illustrations, including archival photographs of Matisse’s studio and the artist at work, this volume concisely covers Matisse’s entire graphic oeuvre.