HENRI MATISSE (1869–1954)

MADAME DE POMPADOUR – PAVILLON DE MARSAN, 1951

Original Colour Lithographic Poster – Mourlot Frères, Paris

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Created in 1951 by Henri Matisse, this magnificent poster announces a reception held on Tuesday, November 20, 1951, at the Pavillon de Marsan in Paris, under the evocative title “Madame de Pompadour Receives.”

This composition belongs to the final creative period of the artist's career, distinguished by the extraordinary freedom of his forms and the brilliance of his colours.

Against a flamboyant red background, Matisse depicts an elegant female face with remarkable economy of line, surrounded by stylised flowers, geometric shapes and vividly coloured paper cut-outs.

MADAME DE POMPADOUR AND THE DECORATIVE ARTS

Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson (1721–1764), Marquise de Pompadour and the celebrated mistress of King Louis XV, was one of the most influential patrons of the arts in 18th-century France.

Her influence extended to painting, furniture, Sèvres porcelain and the French decorative arts.

Her name remains synonymous with refinement, elegance and artistic patronage.

The theme of Madame de Pompadour was chosen to evoke the atmosphere of the grand festivities and receptions of the French Ancien Régime, brilliantly reinterpreted through the modern artistic vision of Henri Matisse.

THE PAVILLON DE MARSAN, PARIS

Located in the northern wing of the Louvre Palace, near the Tuileries Gardens, the Pavillon de Marsan has housed the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts) since 1905.

This prestigious historic setting hosted the École des Arts Décoratifs ball on November 20, 1951, the event for which this remarkable poster was created.

MATISSE AND THE MOURLOT WORKSHOPS

This poster is particularly representative of the celebrated paper cut-out technique developed by Matisse during the final years of his life.

It was printed as a colour lithograph by Mourlot Frères, Paris, one of the most prestigious lithographic printing workshops of the 20th century, renowned for its collaborations with major modern artists including Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Braque and Miró.

The composition bears the lithographically printed signature and date “H. MATISSE 51”, together with the name “mourlot” in the lower margin.

DETAILS

• Artist: Henri Matisse (1869–1954)

• Title: Madame de Pompadour Receives at the Pavillon de Marsan

• Date: 1951

• Technique: Original colour lithographic poster

• Printer: Mourlot Frères, Paris

• Dimensions: 79.5 × 60 cm (31.3 × 23.6 inches)

• Signature: H. Matisse 51, lithographically printed

A magnificent and highly sought-after poster by Henri Matisse, combining the elegance of French decorative arts with the extraordinary modernity of his celebrated paper cut-out compositions.

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