Henri Matisse's Family Donates 61 Artworks to Paris Museum, Creating Historic Gift
In a gesture of extraordinary generosity, the family of renowned artist Henri Matisse has donated over 60 artworks to the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris. The donation includes paintings, drawings, etchings, lithographs, and a sculpture, many of which feature Matisse's daughter Marguerite as the subject.
The artworks were donated by Barbara Dauphin Duthuit, the wife of Matisse's grandson Claude, who passed away in 2011. The donation was made possible through a surprise decision by Mrs. Duthuit, who allowed the museum to keep the artworks rather than selling them or loaning them out.
Marguerite, who was born during Matisse's relationship with model Caroline Joblau, played an important role in his life and art. She appeared in many of his portraits, including some featuring a high-necked dress with blue stripes painted at the collar, which she wore to conceal her scar from a childhood diphtheria infection.
Matisse preferred to keep his art within his family, making the donation particularly significant. The 61 pieces will join the museum's existing collection of 20 Matisse artworks.
Fabrice Hergott, director of the Musée d'Art Moderne, described the portraits of Marguerite as "extremely beautiful and moving." He praised Mrs. Duthuit for her generosity, saying it testifies to her deep commitment to and confidence in the museum, which will become Marguerite's new home for decades and centuries to come.
The donation is a historic gift that highlights the importance of art in preserving family legacies and cultural heritage.
In a gesture of extraordinary generosity, the family of renowned artist Henri Matisse has donated over 60 artworks to the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris. The donation includes paintings, drawings, etchings, lithographs, and a sculpture, many of which feature Matisse's daughter Marguerite as the subject.
The artworks were donated by Barbara Dauphin Duthuit, the wife of Matisse's grandson Claude, who passed away in 2011. The donation was made possible through a surprise decision by Mrs. Duthuit, who allowed the museum to keep the artworks rather than selling them or loaning them out.
Marguerite, who was born during Matisse's relationship with model Caroline Joblau, played an important role in his life and art. She appeared in many of his portraits, including some featuring a high-necked dress with blue stripes painted at the collar, which she wore to conceal her scar from a childhood diphtheria infection.
Matisse preferred to keep his art within his family, making the donation particularly significant. The 61 pieces will join the museum's existing collection of 20 Matisse artworks.
Fabrice Hergott, director of the Musée d'Art Moderne, described the portraits of Marguerite as "extremely beautiful and moving." He praised Mrs. Duthuit for her generosity, saying it testifies to her deep commitment to and confidence in the museum, which will become Marguerite's new home for decades and centuries to come.
The donation is a historic gift that highlights the importance of art in preserving family legacies and cultural heritage.