Henri Matisse (1917-1941) at Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

09 June - 20 September 2009. As the title suggests, this exhibition focuses on the work of French artist Henri Matisse between 1917 and 1941. During these years Matisse moved away from Paris and his wildly coloured Fauve paintings, to the outskirts of Nice where he forged his own distinctive style. Matisse was horrified by the tragedy of the First World War and this was reflected in his new work. His paintings became softer and more subdued. As an artist, he began to plough a precious but lone furrow. After the war however, his work skipped several heartbeats and was enveloped by a bolder, more simplified approach, as can be observed in the likes of 'The Dance II'.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, begun in the 1920's by Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and added to by succeeding generations, became the most important private art collection of the 20th century. In 1993 the collection was acquired by the Spanish state and is now available for all to enjoy in its present location near the Prado Museum and Reina Sof