Henri Matisse — Cinquante Dessins, 1920 — Original Etching — No. 492/1000 — Matisse Family Provenance

Henri Matisse — Cinquante Dessins, 1920

Original Etching — Copy No. 492 of 1000 — Matisse Family Provenance

Henri Matisse (1869–1954)
Cinquante Dessins
Paris, 1920

An exceptional provenance copy of one of Henri Matisse’s important early illustrated books, containing an original etching by Matisse and descending directly through the artist’s family.

This is copy number 492 of an edition of 1,000, issued in 1920 and illustrated with one original etching in black by Henri Matisse, together with fifty reproductions of drawings selected from the artist’s work.

Cinquante Dessins offers an intimate survey of Matisse’s draftsmanship during a pivotal period in his career. The drawings demonstrate the extraordinary economy and fluidity of line that became fundamental to his portraits, figure studies, and later works on paper.

This copy is particularly distinguished by its remarkable provenance. It belonged successively to Pierre Matisse, the artist’s son and one of the most influential dealers of modern art in twentieth-century New York; Pierre-Noël Matisse; and Jacquelyn Miller Matisse.

The volume remains in its original paper wrappers, preserving the work in the format in which it was issued.

Edition: No. 492 of 1,000 copies
Illustration: One original etching in black by Henri Matisse, with fifty reproduced drawings
Date: 1920
Binding: Original paper wrappers
Reference: Duthuit, Livres illustrés, 2

Provenance

Pierre Matisse (1900–1989), son of Henri Matisse and prominent New York art dealer.

Pierre-Noël Matisse.

Jacquelyn Miller Matisse.

By descent through the Matisse family.

Condition

Good to very good overall. The original wrappers show creasing and several small tears. There is staining to the cover and to some interior leaves. The volume remains complete and retains its original Matisse etching.

A particularly desirable example of Cinquante Dessins, distinguished by its original Matisse etching, original wrappers, and exceptional direct Matisse-family provenance.