Jazz

Henri Matisse designed this work in collaboration with his Greek-born publisher, Tériade, the nom de plume of Efstratios Eleftheriades (1897–1983). Jazz comprises 20 vividly colored single- and double-spread pochoirs (stencil prints) created after the artist’s painted- and cut-paper collages. Bedridden and unable to paint or sculpt after being diagnosed with cancer in 1941, Matisse started using scissors to cut out vibrant colored-paper shapes that he then arranged as collages or paper cutouts. The volume’s images are paired with prints of Matisse’s own handwritten text and are largely inspired by mythology, the circus, and international travel. The set was issued in 1947 with the title Jazz, a name that appealed to Matisse because it connected art and musical improvisation.