Matisse et Marguerite | Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris

 

The Matisse/Marguerite exhibit at MAM Paris ,

Is a poignant one, about an intense father-daughter relationship.

Marguerite was his constant model growing up more than any other. 

They had a deep bond. 

Play Debussy’s Arabesque for background music 🎵 

Though she was born from a previous relationship, Matisse took custody of her when he married Amelie, alongside her two half-brothers Jean and Pierre..

Marguerite was ill as a child, having several surgeries to her neck leaving scars - 

I.e. the signature black ribbon.

Over 100 portraits of Marguerite, many not shown before.

Scenes in Matisse’s garden 

After the family moved to Nice.

At this point Marguerite, a young woman, was finding her way, trying painting, fashion design. Matisse found a new model, Henriette. 

Sometimes he posed them together overlooking the sea. 

In the end Marguerite became Matisse’s agent, organizing exhibits, managing print runs, publishing etc. in Paris. There she met and married an art critic, Georges Dutuit, 

Starting her own family. Her son Claude.

During the war, Marguerite secretly joined the French Resistance and later taken prisoner. She managed to escape And was rescued by the Allies by chance.

The exhibit is on through 24 August at MAM And well worth a visit.