Henri Matisse — Cinquante Dessins, 1920 — Original Etching — Unopened Copy No. 628/1000 — Matisse Family Provenance

Henri Matisse — Cinquante Dessins, 1920

Original Etching — Unopened Copy No. 628 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, preserved unopened in its original paper wrappers and descending directly through the Matisse family.

This is copy number 628 of an edition of 1,000, issued in 1920 and illustrated with an original etching in black by Henri Matisse, together with fifty reproductions of drawings selected from the artist’s work.

Cinquante Dessins provides an intimate survey of Matisse’s draftsmanship at a crucial point in his career. The drawings demonstrate the extraordinary economy of line that would become central to his mature work, particularly in his portraits and studies of the human figure.

The volume is especially desirable for its remarkable provenance. This copy belonged successively to Pierre Matisse, the artist’s son and one of the most important dealers of modern art in twentieth-century New York; Pierre-Noël Matisse; and Jacquelyn Miller Matisse.

Remarkably, the volume remains never opened, retaining its original paper wrapper. Its untouched state offers an unusual opportunity to acquire the work substantially as it was preserved within the Matisse family collection.

Edition: No. 628 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

Very good overall. Unopened in the original wrappers. The wrappers show some creasing consistent with age and storage. The contents have never been opened or handled in the conventional manner.

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