Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
La Tristesse du roi
1952
Papiers gouachés, découpés, marouflés sur toile
292 x 386 cm

For this monumental artwork, Matisse uses his technique of cut gouache. Several commentators on the artwork have noted that a Matisse is always remembered taller than he actually is. This is because the giant image of the cut-outs sums up the expansive space pursued by Matisse throughout his life.