It is the last opportunity to see two major exhibitions at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. The first, entitled “Matisse, The Red Studio” is dedicated to an iconic painting by Henri Matisse and is presented in parallel with a new retrospective of Ellsworth Kelly, which includes paintings, sculptures, photographs and drawings. The two exhibitions are a nod to the respective creative visions of the artists who ushered in a new wave of modernism and changed the trajectory of contemporary art.
“Matisse, The Red Studio” and “Ellsworth Kelly. Forms and Colors, 1949–2015”
Henri Matisse, Young Marine (II), Collioure1906
(Image credit: © Succession H. Matisse. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Dist. RMNGrand Palais / Image of the MMA)
In collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Fondation Louis Vuitton’s “Matisse, The Red Studio” pays tribute to the history of the artist’s 1911 masterpiece, showcasing his studio of artworks, sculptures and furniture. For the first time, the exhibition brings together all the works on canvas since they left Matisse’s studio in Issy-les-Moulineaux and includes six paintings, three sculptures and one ceramic. The presentation also includes archival material and related paintings and drawings.
Roger Fry, A second exhibition post-impressionist exhibition1912
(Image credit: © Succession H. Matisse. Hervé Lewandowsk)
“Now over 110 years old, The Red Studio is both a milestone in the centuries-long tradition of studio painting and a foundational work of modern art,” says Ann Temkin, chief curator of MoMA. “The painting remains a touchstone for any artist who sets himself the task of depicting his studio. Matisse’s radical decision to saturate the surface of the work with a layer of red has fascinated generations of scholars and artists, including Ellsworth Kelly. Yet much remains to be explored regarding the painting’s provenance and history.”
Ellsworth Kelly, Spectrum VIII2014
(Photo credit: Marc Domination)
Also on display is “Ellsworth Kelly. Forms and Colors, 1949–2015.”. The late American artist is known for his abstract paintings and sculptures, and the retrospective reflects his approach to form, color, line and space. The works on display demonstrate his fluid range in different media, inspired by the world around him.
Ellsworth Kelly, Red curve in relief2009
(Photo credit: Louis Bourjac)
To mark the artist’s centenary, the exhibition is the first in France to offer a comprehensive overview of his work.
“Matisse, The Red Studio” and “Ellsworth Kelly. Shapes and Colors, 1949-2015” are on display at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris until September 9, 2024.
