MATISSE: Drawing with scissors

The exhibition: Matisse continued creating highly original works into his eighties. For his cut-outs he used paper hand-painted with gouache, which he carved into with scissors: ‘the paper cut-out allows me to draw in the colour … Instead of drawing the outline and putting the colour inside it…I draw straight into the colour’. The colours he used were so strong that he was advised by his doctor to wear dark glasses. 

The lithographic reproductions in this exhibition are taken from a special double issue of Verve, a review of art and literature, published by Matisse’s friend, the critic and fine art publisher Tériade, in 1958, four years after Matisse’s death. The publication was planned during Matisse’s lifetime and the first lithographic plates were prepared under his direction a few days before he died.

David Wilson artist owner of the Lime Tree Gallery said: ‘This is a major coup for the Gallery to get historic, significant fine art  here on show in Fort William particularly when Matisse is getting such high profile coverage at Tate Modern in London at the same time as our show. It’s great to be able to work with our English partners the Hayward Gallery of London’s Southbank Centre and its superb that they are supporting touring of fine art in Scotland. Lochaber is a much neglected area when it comes to fine visual art therefore to get great art here is just magic. Matisse is such a Premier League artist – a sporting comparison would be Barcelona turning up to play Fort William FC – now that would be something too!’