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Sirène by Henri Matisse
- This dynamic line drawing from Matisse’s later years depicts a mermaid at the water’s surface
- Created in 1948, the composition gracefully captures the fluid motion of the surrounding waves
- The work showcases his supreme command of expressive contour and profound visual clarity
- Matisse remains a pillar of twentieth-century modernism
- Get complete item description here
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1869–1954 | French
Sirène
Black crayon on prepared paper
This evocative drawing by Henri Matisse captures a graceful mermaid floating at the water’s surface. It was created during the exploratory phase of Florilège des Amours de Ronsard, the most ambitious of Matisse’s celebrated livres d’artiste, which he began in 1941 and published in 1948 with lithographs printed by Mourlot Frères.
The gesture of the figure is defined by a. . .
1869–1954 | French
Sirène
Black crayon on prepared paper
This evocative drawing by Henri Matisse captures a graceful mermaid floating at the water’s surface. It was created during the exploratory phase of Florilège des Amours de Ronsard, the most ambitious of Matisse’s celebrated livres d’artiste, which he began in 1941 and published in 1948 with lithographs printed by Mourlot Frères.
The gesture of the figure is defined by a sweeping, curved posture that mirrors the undulating rhythm of the waves around her. The composition displays the artist's enduring fascination with organic grace and maritime motifs, carrying forward his lifelong practice of distilling the female form into rhythmic, fluid arabesques that echo the patterns of the natural world.
Drawn in black crayon, the portrait reveals a remarkable lightness and lyricism in its mark-making. Rather than the structural density of his final years, this 1948 work exhibits the effortless, soaring line quality that characterized his mid-century graphic explorations, where carefully economic contours interact dynamically with the open paper.
Preserved in exceptional condition, this artwork descended directly through the family of master printer Fernand Mourlot, remaining in private hands for 70 years. Produced as the conceptual foundation for the Sirène lithograph series within his ambitious livres d’artiste projects, this work highlights the brilliant collaborative dialogue between Matisse’s masterful draughtsmanship and Mourlot’s renowned printmaking workshop.
Using line as his ultimate instrument of expression, Matisse steadily concentrated his compositions to their essence, leaving a profound imprint on modern art. Sirène exemplifies the bravado that made Matisse one of the defining artists of the 20th century. Today, related works are held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Musée Matisse in Nice.
Circa 1948
Paper: 6 1/8" high x 9 1/8" wide (15.56 x 23.18 cm)
Framed: 15 1/4" high x 18 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" deep (38.74 x 46.99 x 3.81 cm)
Provenance:
Fernand Mourlot, Mourlot Frères, Rue Chabrol, Paris, by 1948
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
| Maker: | Matisse, Henri |
| Period: | 1919-Present |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Drawings |
| Style: | Modernism |
| Depth: | 1.5 in. (3.81 cm) |
| Width: | 18.5 in. (46.99 cm) |
| Height: | 15.25 in. (38.74 cm) |
| Canvas Width: | 9.125 in. (23.18 cm) |
| Canvas Height: | 6.125 in. (15.56 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
