Matisse in the Studio: Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Picasso owned this painting of Marguerite (Matisse's daughter) and kept it in a bank vault.

Matisse in the Studio at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston is a magnificent exhibit. I enjoyed seeing how Matisse used his favorite objects in different ways in his artwork (note the vase, the chocolate pot, the wall hangings, the chair, etc...) 

“I have worked all my life before the same objects,” Matisse recalled in 1951. “The object is an actor. A good actor can have a part in ten different plays; an object can play a role in ten different pictures." (link to Boston Globe article about the exhibit.)

This really resonated with me as it is something that I have said in my classes over the years. There are many different ways to use something in your work. You can use the same (collage) image repeatedly and depending on how you use it, get an entirely different page. Matisse repeatedly used the same objects in his artwork throughout his life. It is fascinating to see how these objects were used in different paintings over and over and over again. It was truly an eye opening experience. My only regret is not being able to hop on a plane and see it one more time before it closes.

In case you didn't know (I didn't), your local library may have a pass that allows you to get into the museum for $10 (vs $25.) The passes are available at the library when the library opens on the day you plan to go. Some libraries have different rules (you have to return the pass.) I love that libraries do this and how it allows museums to be more accessible to the general public. MFA Boston also has free days as well as free times in the afternoon for youth.

Matisse in the Studio Exhibition Catalog Hardcover or Paperback

Modern Art Notes Podcast Matisse in the Studio