© Fabrice Gaboriau © Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI, Dist.Grand Palais Rmn / Georges Meguerditchian © Archives Henri Matisse
Until August 24, the great master of Fauvism Matisse and his daughter Marguerite take over the splendid Musée d’Art Moderne, historic neighbor of the Palais de Tokyo. The hyper touching father-daughter duo relationship is highlighted in this hanging which explores the major periods of the painter through his dearest being. Focus on this exhibition which puts under the spotlights the surprising young lady Matisse, worthy heir and major influence of her father.
The gaze of a father
This exhibition, dedicated exclusively to the father and his eldest, proves that Marguerite Matisse is the most stylish daddy’s girl of art. Bound by blood but also by creativity, Matisse and his daughter inspired each other. The painter, a true doting dad, overflowed with tenderness for his sick daughter, who at just 7 years old underwent her first tracheotomy, and spent her young years with a pretty black velvet ribbon around her neck. This black ribbon is the key element found in the selection of super endearing portraits of this young girl with huge almond-shaped eyes who seem to challenge the painter.
Through his portraits, we travel through the major periods of Henri Matisse. If we already know his Nice period or his canvases influenced by the Great War, here we rediscover his art through the daughter. Expect to melt in front of the portraits of Marguerite reading (1906) or of Marguerite asleep (1920) and to contemplate the evolution of the young woman in parallel with the evolution of her father’s technique.
© Ville de Grenoble / Musée de Grenoble JL Lacroix, © Philadelphia Museum of Art
Like father, like daughter
With such a close relationship, it’s hardly surprising that Marguerite managed her father’s artistic affairs. But the Nepo Baby, a true studio kid, naturally headed herself towards an artistic career. No need for a paternity test: we feel the influence of her illustrious father in her brushstroke. The Musée d’Art Moderne here exhibits her paintings, colorful of course, also revealing a very strong and personal touch.
Icing on the cake: we finish with a virtual reality headset odyssey through the spectacular fresco of La Danse, whose sketch is also exhibited in the museum at the end of the visit. A must-see!
Matisse and Marguerite, from April 4 to August 24, 2025. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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