Matisse, Henri, Gérard masque, 1945-46

1945-1946

Original lithograph in black on Arches paper

48 x 33 cm

Numbered in pencil lower right of 5, annotated “ép. d’artiste”, dedicated, signed by the artist

Catalogue raisonné : Duthuit 577

Gérard masque represents Matisse’s grandson Gérard, son of Jean Matisse. The attribute “masque” is frequently used by Matisse in the titles of his representations of faces. It underlines the artist’s focus on the model’s head alone, and more often than not a simplified language of form.