“Jeunes Filles et Fleurs” – A Henri Matisse Ink Drawing of Two Women and a Vase of Flowers

Black ink sketch on paper drawn in outline with two girls sitting at a table with a vase of flowers and an open menu bearing the title ‘Thé’ (tea). Signed H Matisse and dated Mai 1947. The reverse with a paper label reading ‘Schoneman Galleries, Inc. 63 East 57th Street, New York 22, Ny., #9196 H. Matisse “Jeune Filles et Fleurs” ink drwg. (old #6806) 14 ½ x 21 ½ in.’ Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is commonly hailed, along with Pablo Picasso, as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He was instrumental in the development of Fauvism, Modernism and Post Impressionism. This work, however, was produced towards the end of his life but in the midst of what he termed his “second life”. He had been diagnosed with cancer in 1941 and the treatment left him wheelchair bound and with various other medical issues but lead to a period of intense creativity. By 1950 as painting became more difficult he invented a new medium – his famous cut outs. Footnote: This ink sketch is a genuine, original Post-impressionist work of art by the great Henri Matisse. It has impeccable provenance and is accompanied by letters confirming that it is no. M119 in the Matisse archive and was certified as genuine by the daughter of the artist in 1966. It is not a page from a sketch pad but rather a preparation for a series of fully realised paintings of a similar size, which date from May and June of the same year and are evidently based on this simple outline. Further information on “Jeunes Filles et Fleurs” can be found on our blog.