Henri Matisse (1869–1954) is one of the most original and beloved French artists, his colorfully luminescent paintings a stirring affirmation of life, levity, and sensitivity. This book reproduces a large number of Matisse’s works alongside the story of his life, from his early paintings to his late masterpieces, the cutouts, which he created when he was confined to his bed and unable to paint. Drawing on previously unavailable archival materials, Markus Müller traces the trajectory of Matisse’s career, showing how his oeuvre turned towards the color-intensive, near-abstract cutouts. A celebration of a great artist who never stopped seeking new ways to create, this book is the perfect introduction to Matisse’s genius.   "This detailed and well-written biography of Henri Matisse traces not just his life story, but his development as an artist within the context of the period." ― Connexion Markus Müller has been the director of the Kunstmuseum Pablo Picasso Münster since 2000 and is honorary professor of art history at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster. He is the author of Pablo Picasso , also published by Hirmer.