Chatting with Henri Matisse: The Lost 1941 Interview

by Pierre Courthion (Primary Contributor), Henri Matisse, Chris Miller (Translator)

A major interview with Matisse published here for the first time.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Pierre Courthion (January 14, 1902 - 1988) was a Swiss art critic and historian known for his work on American and French art.

In 1941, Courthion interviewed Henri Matisse for a book that the elderly artist was to illustrate himself.
However, on reading the proofs and sharing them with friends, Matisse considered Courthion's writing convoluted and mesquin ("small-minded"). Matisse then halted the book's publication, just a few weeks before it was due to come out. The "lost" interview was not published until 2013.

Courthion lived and worked in France for most of his life and was vice-president of the Syndicate of the French Artistic Press between 1965–78.

Reviews

[Anselm]

Matisse's side of this is pretty interesting, despite the fact that he's being interviewed by a spherical being suspended somewhere in the overlap between cheese and corn.

[Libby Sullivan]

Some interesting dialogue particularly on the part of Matisse about many details of his life and career. I really enjoyed hearing what a great sense of humor Henri had.

[Patty]

An enjoyable and often insightful read

[David Chavero]

Gran parte de su vida, sus pensamientos y decisiones narradas en gran parte por el mismo.