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Jazz
Henri Matisse’s Jazz is one of the pre-eminent artists’ books in the history of modern art.
In 1947, Matisse was in his seventies and suffering poor health, and he preferred the simple, fluid act of cutting forms from painted paper to drawing and painting. He began working on illustrations for a book of poems using this assemblage technique. As his notes, written with a paintbrush in looping letters, became integral, the publisher agreed that they should replace the poems.
This large-scale facsimile edition brims with drama and shows why Jazz is considered Matisse’s most celebrated—and joyous—foray into the combination of colour and form. The loose-leaf folded facsimile pages are gathered in a special ribbon-tied, cloth-bound presentation case. Many of these images were inspired by the theatre or circus, settings that connect the visual and musical through improvisation—a theme that can be felt running through the compositions of the prints themselves. Such iconic prints as Icare (“Icarus”) and L’avaleur de sabres (“The Sword Swallower”) appear alongside paintbrush-composed notes Matisse wrote for himself as he created the images.
This edition is accompanied by a special book mounted on the reverse of the box cover, featuring both a translation of Matisse’s text and two new essays: one examining Jazz’s principal place among other artists’ books; the other surveying the history of artists’ books as a field.
In 1947, Matisse was in his seventies and suffering poor health, and he preferred the simple, fluid act of cutting forms from painted paper to drawing and painting. He began working on illustrations for a book of poems using this assemblage technique. As his notes, written with a paintbrush in looping letters, became integral, the publisher agreed that they should replace the poems.
This large-scale facsimile edition brims with drama and shows why Jazz is considered Matisse’s most celebrated—and joyous—foray into the combination of colour and form. The loose-leaf folded facsimile pages are gathered in a special ribbon-tied, cloth-bound presentation case. Many of these images were inspired by the theatre or circus, settings that connect the visual and musical through improvisation—a theme that can be felt running through the compositions of the prints themselves. Such iconic prints as Icare (“Icarus”) and L’avaleur de sabres (“The Sword Swallower”) appear alongside paintbrush-composed notes Matisse wrote for himself as he created the images.
This edition is accompanied by a special book mounted on the reverse of the box cover, featuring both a translation of Matisse’s text and two new essays: one examining Jazz’s principal place among other artists’ books; the other surveying the history of artists’ books as a field.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
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249 people want to read
About the author
Henri Matisse
358 books58 followersHenri Matisse was a French artist, known for his use of colour and his fluid, brilliant and original draughtsmanship. As a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor, but principally as a painter, Matisse is one of the best-known artists of the 20th century. Although he was initially labeled as a Fauve (wild beast), by the 1920s, he was increasingly hailed as an upholder of the classical tradition in French painting. His mastery of the expressive language of colour and drawing, displayed in a body of work spanning over a half-century, won him recognition as a leading figure in modern art.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 8, 2019
I was seduced by the cover of this book. I called the picture, a paper-cut, 'Star Man' and even after I knew it was Icarus, to me it was Star Man swimming strongly through the universe with a fiercly beating heart.
It inspired me and from that followed my love of Matisse. I wouldn't recommend this book over and above any of his others - anything that features Matisse's paintings or wonderful paper-cuts will be 5-star plus.
But Star Man inspires me and the idea of Icarus, the idiot Icarus thinking he could challenge the universe and win, well that doesn't.
It inspired me and from that followed my love of Matisse. I wouldn't recommend this book over and above any of his others - anything that features Matisse's paintings or wonderful paper-cuts will be 5-star plus.
But Star Man inspires me and the idea of Icarus, the idiot Icarus thinking he could challenge the universe and win, well that doesn't.
March 27, 2020
I've been carrying this from home to home, city to city, for three decades. Time to let it go.
Update: It's on openlibrary.org to borrow and enjoy again!
Update: It's on openlibrary.org to borrow and enjoy again!
August 1, 2024
MATISSE NO ERETS ORDINARI
May 15, 2019
“My hand is but an extension of sensitivity and intelligence.”
“To teach the eye to hear.”
Just what I needed to hit me with a spark of inspiration and creativity.
“To teach the eye to hear.”
Just what I needed to hit me with a spark of inspiration and creativity.
April 1, 2014
The cover is the best part of the book, but I enjoyed perusing the rest. Even though Henri's notes are handwritten in French, translations are provided. There isn't much to the book, so I'd hesitate to recommend it to anyone other than Matisse admirers.
December 15, 2016
"Jazz is rhythm and meaning". Henri Matisse
Icarus found his death disobeying his father’s warning and going too close to the sun. The light and the beauty of the star absorbed him and Icarus tried the impossible, aiming to reach the unreachable. The wax in his wings melted and he fell into the sea. Icarus’s image on the cover of Jazz was the main reason I wanted to know more about this book. And soon, reading it, I would understand that Matisse was ready to sacrifice his life for art’s sake.
"DO I BELIEVE IN GOD? Yes, when I am working. When I am submissive and modest, I feel myself to be greatly helped by someone who causes me to do things that exceed my capabilities. However, I cannot acknowledge him because it is as if I were to find myself before a conjurer whose sleight of hand eludes me. Therefore I feel robbed of the benefits of the experience that should have been the reward for my efforts. I am ungrateful and without remorse."
Jazz is a collection of bright, meaningful paper cut-outs accompanied by some of the painter’s poetic thoughts, an expression of his vitality and extraordinary creativity. When in 1941 Matisse was diagnosed with abdominal cancer, following a difficult surgery that left him chair bound and in impossibility to paint or sculpt, the painter found comfort in a new activity that could still transmit his exuberance – cutting out painted paper and transforming it into artistic compositions. Helped by assistants, Matisse transformed his room in a gallery, all walls pinned with cut-outs seeking perfection of form and meaning.
See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
Icarus found his death disobeying his father’s warning and going too close to the sun. The light and the beauty of the star absorbed him and Icarus tried the impossible, aiming to reach the unreachable. The wax in his wings melted and he fell into the sea. Icarus’s image on the cover of Jazz was the main reason I wanted to know more about this book. And soon, reading it, I would understand that Matisse was ready to sacrifice his life for art’s sake.
"DO I BELIEVE IN GOD? Yes, when I am working. When I am submissive and modest, I feel myself to be greatly helped by someone who causes me to do things that exceed my capabilities. However, I cannot acknowledge him because it is as if I were to find myself before a conjurer whose sleight of hand eludes me. Therefore I feel robbed of the benefits of the experience that should have been the reward for my efforts. I am ungrateful and without remorse."
Jazz is a collection of bright, meaningful paper cut-outs accompanied by some of the painter’s poetic thoughts, an expression of his vitality and extraordinary creativity. When in 1941 Matisse was diagnosed with abdominal cancer, following a difficult surgery that left him chair bound and in impossibility to paint or sculpt, the painter found comfort in a new activity that could still transmit his exuberance – cutting out painted paper and transforming it into artistic compositions. Helped by assistants, Matisse transformed his room in a gallery, all walls pinned with cut-outs seeking perfection of form and meaning.
See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
March 20, 2009
Not the version I read, but this is as close as it got. I love Matisse's cut-outs
June 25, 2013
art, favorite!
May 5, 2017
"With Jazz you hold an artist's spirit in your hand"
January 21, 2021
I enjoy Matisse as an artist, but did not know he made a book of works so to speak. The words are an artform not only in what they say but how they look on the page (as is explained in the intro). His cutouts are every bit as interesting and beautiful as his larger works. A short, thoughtful read.
July 17, 2022
This beautiful book translated from French tells the story of the production of his cut-out paper compositions and the problems with getting them to print properly in book form. Matisse used large script on the page opposite the images for balance.
September 9, 2019
Quick Review: Fantastic book (French with English translation) providing insight into Matisse's process/credo as an artist. Highly recommended for Matisse admirers and print aficionados.
June 8, 2022
I just adore the Matisse cutouts, and the ones which appear in this volume are some of my favourites! The words themselves are enchanting
May 22, 2023
“Il y a des fleurs partout pour qui veut bien les voir.”
January 6, 2024
3649015
January 6, 2024
3649015
August 2, 2024
Trop beaux les écrits ! Et les dessins obvi
August 10, 2019
As a Matisse enthusiast, I went into this with very high expectations. The quality of color and paper of the book is great. But there was a huge lack of education/context to the works. Maybe it’s intention is to be a coffee table book.
October 30, 2014
Joy in the words, and joy in the visuals.
Want to read
September 4, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138337
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138337
Read
March 29, 2010Jazz by Henri Matisse (1985)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews