Art & Artists

Matisse Cut-outs

Gouda, August 10, 2025

In the years preceding his death in 1954 and when ill health prevented him from painting, Henri Matisse created his iconic, innovative, and bold gouache paper cut-outs.

In 1953-54 he worked with renowned lithographer Fernand Mourlot and the art publisher Tériade to reinterpret these works as lithographs. Matisse had already worked many times with Tériade, including on the famous ‘Jazz Portfolio’ in 1947. His lithographs were frequently included in Verve magazine, Tériade’s quarterly review of arts and letters. Fernand Mourlot worked with many of the great artists of the period, including Marc Chagall, Georges Braques, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miró.

Matisse oversaw the first proofs for the publication in 1954, including the cover design. However, he died before the magazine could be published. Consequently, this special edition of Verve – published in 1958 – became a tribute to Matisse’s final years and was titled ‘Dernières Oeuvres de Mattisse 1950-54’ (Last Works of Matisse). The publication featured forty original lithographs based on his final cut-outs. They include some of his most famous works such as the Nus Bleus (Blue Nudes), The Snail, and The Sheaf, as well as lesser known designs including maquettes for stained glass windows and ceramic commissions.

Several of these lithographs are always on display in the gallery on Lage Gouwe. And I can always show you more upon request. I can also tell you a lot about their background and creation.