visuel-henri-matisse-nu-bleu-ii-1952-c-centre-pomp

In spring, over 200 works by Matisse will be on display at the Grand Palais

undefined undefined undefined 07h30

The Editor

Henri Matisse, "Nu bleu II", 1952 © Service de la documentation photographique du MNAM - Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI

Starting March 24th, the Grand Palais will take a look back at the colossal and fascinating career of Henri Matisse, focusing especially on the later years of the artist. A gigantic retrospective, imagined thanks to the collections of the Centre Pompidou, will bring together no less than 230 works.

For a few months now, the Centre Pompidou, a must-visit institution in the capital, has closed its doors, leaving all modern and contemporary art lovers in quite a stir. Luckily, during its closure (which will last 5 years), the collections of the museum will still be visible here and there, thanks to imagined Constellations exhibitions popping up everywhere. And starting this March, head over to the Grand Palais to (re)discover the works of Matisse.


A Well-Filled Life

When he starts painting in 1889 at just 20 years old, no one could have guessed that the painting career of Matisse would be so long and so prolific. However, from the moment he discovered this art form, after being introduced by a neighbor while bedridden, he couldn't stop pursuing it.

tteler, to constantly push the boundaries of creation and develop new techniques.

Proof is that, from the 1940s — during which he was already nearly 80 years old — until his death in 1954, the artist completely transformed his style through cut-out gouache, making this medium a plastic language.Entirely unique technique, capable of reaching the universal thanks to its simplicity. A technique then unprecedented for the painter, which is now one of his trademarks.


An extraordinary collection

This year, the Grand Palais, in partnership with the Centre Pompidou and its extraordinary collections, focuses on this very special period by exploring the last 13 years of Matisse's life. Throughout the galleries, visitors will be presented with over 230 paintings, drawings, cut-out gouaches, illustrated books, textiles, and other stained glass works to showcase the painter's ability to reinvent himself, but also, and above all, to gain in intensity and depth. A unique opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful series...Works of the sculptor, like the Interiors of Vence (1947-1948), or his famous Blue Nudes.

Matisse. 1941-1954
Grand Palais
17, avenue du Général Eisenhower – 8th
From March 24 to July 26, 2026
More info