Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
Title: Nu Au Fauteuil Sur Fond Moucharabieh
Nude In Armchair On Moucharabieh Background
Medium: Original Lithograph, 1925, in black ink, on Velin Arches paper, signed by the artist in pencil lower right
Size: Image: 21.5 x 17.25 inches; 546 x 438 mm.; Sheet 25.875 x 19.875 inches; 657 x 505 mm
Note: In 1922 Matisse, who had made almost no lithographs since 1914, embarked on a series of nudes inspired with an Oriental theme. He had travelled in Arab lands and employed Islamic decor surrounding these. By the end of 1925 he had made almost 50 prints averaging around 10 a year. His depiction of the female figures were described as as “Odalisques”. They are all nude or scantily clothed models often dressed in summer frocks as they sit beside bouquets of flowers or incline on couches.
An odalisque (Turkish: odalık ) was a Chambermaid or a female attendant in a Turkish seraglio, particularly the court ladies in the household of the Ottoman Sultan. If an odalık was of extraordinary beauty or had exceptional talents in dancing or singing, she would be trained as a possible concubine. If selected, an odalık trained as a court lady would serve the sultan sexually and only after such sexual contact would she change in status, becoming thenceforth one of the consorts of the sultan.
Edition: 35/50; There were also 9 Trial Proofs and 10 artists proofs
Reference: Claude Duthuit “Henri Matisse : Catalogue Raisonne de l’oeuvre grave : Number 470
Printed by M. Duchâtel, Paris,
Published by the artist
Public Collections:
Baltimore Museum of Art
Condition: Generally in very good condition with minor creases
