Henri Matisse, Danseuse Créole (Creole Dancer)

Artist: Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954)
Title:Danseuse Créole (Creole Dancer)
Medium:Tapestry
Image Size:101 in x 66 in (256.5 cm x 167.6 cm)
Signature:Stamp signed 'Edward Fields' along the border on the reverse
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-3799

Historical Description

Henri Matisse tapestry Danseuse Créole (Creole Dancer); Created after the original paper cut out Danseuse Créole (Creole Dancer) by Henri Matisse (Le Cateau-Cambrésis, 1869 - Nice, 1954), this large tapestry combines elements of color, line, space, and texture to relay a sense of liveliness and childlike fancy. Varying slightly from Matisse's original paper cut out, this tapestry omits the circular "face" in the upper right corner of Matisse's design. By doing so, the image becomes more floral than human. Set against a color blocked background of blue, yellow, red, black, and purple, Matisse's curved leaf like forms starkly stand out. This impression of popping out or layering is representative of Matisse's paper cut outs, in this case, achieved through an entirely new medium: textiles. Reminiscent of a tree or plant, these abstract patches of blue, green, and white contrast with the ninety degree angles of the background and bring to mind images of growth and prosperity.

This tapestry was created by famed tapestry maker Edward Fields after Henri Matisse (Le Cateau-Cambrésis, 1869 - Nice, 1954). This work is stamp signed 'Edward Fields' along the border on the reverse and annotated 'C.49' in black ink in the corner on the reverse.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Henri Matisse Creole Dancer (Danseuse Créole) is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).
1. Henri Matisse: Paper Cut-Outs. St. Louis: The St. Louis Art Museum, 1977. Original gouache on paper, cut and pasted on paper from which this work was based illustrated and discussed as catalogue raisonné no. 110 on pg. 165.