MATISSE HENRI: (1869-1954) French Artist. An important typed manuscript, with extensive manuscript a

MATISSE HENRI: (1869-1954) French Artist. An important typed manuscript, with extensive manuscript a

Matisse on the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence

MATISSE HENRI: (1869-1954) French Artist. An important typed manuscript, with extensive manuscript additions by Matisse, unsigned, one page, folio, n.p. (Vence), n.d. (c.1950), in French. The typed manuscript, evidently prepared by a journalist following an interview with the artist, is entitled An Hour with Matisse, and provides details of Matisse's work at the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence as it reaches its final stages of decoration, explaining that the eminent architect Auguste Perret has supervised the project, and that Matisse's studio is currently a replica of the chapel's interior with a huge amount of drawings affixed to the walls, many in yellow, green and blue, representing the colours to be used in the stained glass, further describing the position of the altar, the white marble floor, and the black and white ceramic tiles which Matisse is creating. The manuscript continues with several questions posed to Matisse, which he responds to in his own hand, explaining that the square ceramic tiles are to be decorated in black and white in order to strike a balance with the colours of the stained glass, and expressing his view that the hardest challenge in building and decorating the chapel was to fill a relatively small space with the monumental and expressive concept that he wished to achieve. Matisse also states that he has not felt the need to change his religious views in order to create the chapel, and that all of his life his work has been made with the religious feeling of the mystery of nature. Finally, the artist remarks that he has not had time to consider future projects as the chapel has not yet been completed. The final third of the page was originally part of a separate sheet and is now neatly affixed to the base of the primary sheet. VG In 1941 Matisse, living in the south of France, developed cancer and underwent surgery. During his long recovery he was assisted by a young nurse, Monique Bourgeois, who also served as a model for several of the artist's drawings and paintings. In 1943 Bourgeois entered the Dominican convent in Vence and became Sister Jacques-Marie. In due time Matisse bought a house in Vence and remained in touch with the young nun. She told him of the plans the Dominicans had to build a chapel and sought Matisse's help with the design of the building. Matisse agreed and the project commenced in 1947. Over the next four years the artist worked on the chapel, its architecture, stained glass windows, interior furnishings, murals, and the priests' vestments. The chapel features three sets of stained glass windows which Matisse dedicated much of his time to. All three sets make use of just three colours: an intense yellow for the sun, an intense green for vegetation and cactus forms, and a vivid blue representing the Mediterranean Sea, the Riviera and the Madonna. For the walls Matisse designed three murals to be made by painting white tiles with black paint and then firing the large sections of tile. Although Matisse had been baptised a Catholic, he had not practised the religion for many years. The artist had never undertaken work of the kind before, and upon completion Matisse himself declared the chapel to be his 'masterpiece'.