Matisse, Cézanne, Picasso.....L'aventure des Stein

La Gitane, 1905

There has been a lot of excitement brewing in Paris over the new exhibition just opened at the Grand Palais. I went along Saturday and stood queuing in the chilly autumnal breeze for over an hour. The exhibition is of an astonishing collection of modern art built up by the Steins, an American family who moved to Paris in the early 20th Century. I was completely surprised by how large the exhibition was and what a truly outstanding ensemble of works from the Steins’ various collections were presented: Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, Manguin, Bonnard, Vallotton, Laurencin, Gris, Masson, Picabia….

The family were unusual in that they were the first to purchase Matisses and Picassos and to let a whole world of avant-garde art into their home on Rue de Fleurus. They contributed to creating a new standard in taste in Modern art and became friends as well as clients of many of the artists. I was totally shocked by the vast size of the exhibition. How one family could have accumulated so many inspiring paintings is extraordinary. I was particularly moved by Mattise's early works. Although he is perhaps better known for his work during the 40s and 50s, in the early 1900's he created some of my favourite works during the period acknowledged as Fauvism. This movement eschewed the representations of realism created by the Impressionists and instead valued painterly qualities and strong use of colour. Although the style lived on, the movement only really lasted from 1904-08 and Matisse and Derain, the leaders of the movement received a lot of criticism and negative reaction to their works.


Blue Nude, Memory of Biskra, 1907

I could have stood in front of this painting for hours. It is so intriguing as far as composition and construction. It is flat yet deep. The extreme contrast between light and dark creates mystery and intrigue, luring you further into the undisclosed, leafy location.



La Femme au Chapeau, 1905

This painting received a considerable amount of condemnation as it was said to be an image created by flinging around a lot of paint without much skill or refinement. Having received such a bad reception to his work left Matisse demoralized. I believe his confidence was slightly restored by the Stein family's decision to buy the painting. Personally, I am particularly moved about it. Despite its rainbow of colour their exists a type of starkness in the melancholic gaze of the woman. The colours do not contrast in a way which divides the image but instead work together like a patchwork to bind it. This patchwork tells a story, a narrative or rather a lack of one.....