The Sculpted Colors of "Jazz"

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Henri Matisse was very ill. His creativity was still strong but the graphic techniques that he could still use were limited. He tried flat gouache with pure and bright colors, shaped by cuttings. He said he was a sculptor of colors.

In 1943, the publisher Tériade persuaded the artist to prepare a collection of images to be performed with this technique. The project lasted four years and led in 1947 to one of the most important artist books of the century, entitled "Jazz", composed of 20 in-folio plates including 15 in double page. It was published in 250 copies, plus 100 portfolios of unfolded plates that are in high demand.

Graphic and literary design, consisting of images facing texts written by Matisse from his hand, is entirely up to the artist. But the print quality is due to the obstinacy of Tériade to find a technique that renders faithfully the beautiful colors of Matisse. A special process of pochoir (stencil) printing was developed for this purpose.

The art market pays tribute to this book when it comes, relatively often, in auctions. The copy 204 is estimated 180 K € by Sotheby's, for sale in Paris on June 17.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

There was no surprise to expect from this good example of a prestigious book. The result, 215 K € premium included, is consistent with the low estimate.