Color lithograph after the work by Henri Matisse, plate-signed by Matisse from the edition of 200.
This lithograph was printed and published in 2007 in our Art-Lithographies workshop in Paris using 100% cotton 300 g/m² BFK Rives paper. Artwork entirely made in France: from the production of the paper in Arches in the Vosges department, to the traditional lithographic printing process, one drawing for each different color, one color per press run.
The lithograph was authorized, supervised and validated by the Matisse Estate. On the back of the lithograph feature the copyright of the Matisse Estate and the copyright of the original printer and publisher of this edition.
Delivered with a certificate of authenticity.
La Tristesse du roi (The Sorrows of the King)
YEAR: 2007
DIMENSIONS: 63x90 cm (24.8'x35.4' in)
EDITION: 200
PAPER: BFK Rives
PRINTERS: Art-Lithographies Workshop, Paris
PUBLISHERS: Artvalue, Luxembourg
COA: Yes. Signed by the original printers & publishers
Created by Matisse in 1952, La Tristesse du roi, is a reference to one of Rembrandt’s canvases, David Jouant de la harpe devant Saul (David Playing the Harp before Saul), in which the young biblical hero plays to distract the King from his melancholy, as well as to the late self-portraits of the old Dutch master. In this work, Matisse layers the themes of old age, of looking back towards earlier life and of music soothing all ills.
In this final self-portrait, the painter represents himself by this black form, like a silhouette of himself sitting in his armchair, surrounded by the pleasures which have enriched his life: the yellow petals fluttering away have the gaiety of musical notation; the green odalisque symbolises the Orient, while a dancer pays homage to the female body. (http://www.centrepompidou.fr).
Many critics consider this to be his most innovative period. He had begun to experience severe arthritis and had a bout with cancer which forced him to be confined in a wheelchair. He could no longer stand to paint, so instead he created paintings with scissors by cutting pieces of colorful paper and gluing them onto larger pieces of paper with the help of his assistants. They were called « gouaches découpées » (cutouts). La Tristesse du roi is a fine example of this style, with its use of stunning colors and shapes to create a scene. (http://www.henrimatisse.org).