Henri Matisse - The Stations of the Cross

Catalogue of the exhibition Matisse's Stations of the Cross. Drawing the Passion, presented at the Matisse Museum, Nice (1 October 2025 - 19 January 2026).

Of all his works, Matisse's Stations of the Cross is perhaps the most radical and undoubtedly the most unique, as it is closely linked to the creation of his chapel in Vence, which was inaugurated in 1951.

Its creation was a challenge for the artist, both in terms of its form – which ran counter to his aesthetic principles – and its subject matter. Matisse's lack of familiarity with Christian iconography undoubtedly explains the profusion of sketches and preparatory studies he needed, a quantity never before reached for his other compositions featuring multiple characters.

The catalogue presents the genesis of this work, from the initial ideas sketched on paper to the final creation on ceramic tiles.

When the Dominican Chapel in Vence was completed, it was the result of several years of immense work by Henri Matisse, who thought through every detail: architecture, furniture, ornaments, decoration, stained glass windows... He produced a considerable amount of preparatory graphic work for the project, studying and detailing each element of the future chapel, including the Stations Cross.

This collection includes original charcoal and pencil drawings, extracts from notebooks and sketchbooks, prints, and more, from the Matisse Museum and the Chapel of Vence collections. The catalogue reflects the work itself: spiritual, minimalist, and bold, revealing universal pain.