Henri Matisse - La Petite Ile | Lithograph - Limited Edition (could be re-framed at additional cost)

Own a remarkable piece of 20th-century French art with this exceptional Henri Matisse limited edition lithograph from the celebrated "Poésies Antillaises" series. This investment-grade collectible showcases Matisse's extraordinary gift for expressing profound emotion through elegantly simplified line work—a defining characteristic that cemented his legacy as one of modern art's most influential masters.

Created during Matisse's prolific post-war period between 1945-46, "La Petite Ile" emerged from the artist's collaboration with exotic Polynesian models, inspired by the poetry of John-Antoine Nau celebrating the beauty of the Antilles. This rare lithograph captures the sculptural elegance of Caribbean women through Matisse's distinctive minimalist approach, demonstrating why his late works are considered amongst the finest examples of modern portraiture.

This original hand-numbered lithograph (130/250) was meticulously produced in 1972 by the prestigious Paris lithographer Fernand Mourlot, who scrupulously followed Matisse's original maquettes and final corrected proofs. The artist himself described the Poésies Antillaises stones as "striking and superb" in correspondence with Mourlot, though the complete edition wasn't published until decades after completion.

Measuring approximately 28cm x 38cm when framed, this museum-quality piece represents exceptional collectible potential for discerning art enthusiasts. The limited edition status, combined with Matisse's enduring market strength, makes this vintage lithograph an outstanding addition to any serious collection of European fine art.

Ready for immediate display, this professionally framed work brings the sophisticated elegance of mid-century French artistic excellence into contemporary settings. For collectors seeking authentic pieces from one of history's most celebrated artists, this numbered Matisse lithograph offers both aesthetic beauty and substantial investment appeal.

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Henri Matisse (French, 1869 to 1954). Simple portrait image of young lady, "La Petite Ile", hand numbered lithograph from 1972. Numbered 130/250. Taken from "Poesies Antillaises", published in 1972. Framed size, approx: w28cm x h38cm.

MORE: Poésies Antillaises is a beautiful example of the extraordinary gift for drawing, the ability to incorporate and to express so much through line reduced to its simplest form, which was one of Matisse's greatest legacies to 20th century art.

In 1945, following the success of his series of lithographs under the titles Visages, inspired by Reverdy's poetry, Matisse began working with several exotic models, mostly Polynesian, to prepare illustrations for an ambitious suite of lithographs that he hoped to do in homage to his friend, the poet John-Antoine Nau. Nau's poetry took its themes from voyages in the Antilles and in particular to Martinique where the facial sculpture of women from the Islands, with their exoticism and richness, was a great inspiration.

Matisse completed and proofed all the stones for the Poésies Antillaises series in 1945-46 which, in a letter to Mourlot, he called striking and superb. However for some reason the actual edition of the album was not pulled at that time. The work was finally published in 1972 by the Paris lithographer Fernand Mourlot, who scrupulously followed both Matisse's maquettes and his final corrected proofs.

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Please note: as this is a genuine image produced by Matisse's studio the Artist's Resale Right (ARR) will be additionally payable on top of the purchase price for this lot (where the price is above the threshold of £1,000 GBP), up to a maximum of 4% of the price. Please visit www.dacs.org.uk for more information. This process ensures the authenticity and provenance of the artwork and will preserve future value.