Page 88 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

86  PROVENCE AREA B Y AREA

Nice: Musée Matisse

Henri Matisse (1869–1954) first came to Nice in 1916, and lived
at several addresses in the city before settling in Cimiez for the
rest of his life. His devotion to the city and its “clear, crystalline,
precise, limpid” light culminated, just before his death in 1954,
with a bequest of works. Nine years later they formed the
museum’s core collection, sharing space with archaeological
relics in the Villa des Arènes, next to the Cimiez cemetery,
which holds the artist’s simple memorial. Since 1993 the
entire villa, complete with its new extension, has been
devoted to celebrating his life, work and influence.

. Nu Bleu IV (1952)
The celebrated “cut-outs” were
made in later life when Matisse
was bedridden.

First floor

Matisse in his Studio (1948)
The museum’s photographic
collection offers a unique
insight into the man and his
work. Robert Capa’s picture
shows him drafting the murals
for the Chapelle du Rosaire at
Vence (see pp78–9).

Ground floor

. Fauteuil Rocaille
A gilded Rococo armchair,
painted by Matisse in 1946,
is among many of his personal
belongings that are on display
in the museum.
Main
Gallery Guide entrance
The ground and first floors display works from the
museum’s permanent collection, from which items Key to Floorplan
are sometimes loaned out to other museums. The
subterranean wing is used for exhibitions devoted Permanent collection
to Matisse and his contemporaries. Temporary exhibition space
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp198–9 and pp208–11