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One of Henri Matisse's largest works, The Parakeet and the Mermaid (1952) original measures almost 3.4 metres by 7.7 metres and was completed in the cut-out style he adopted almost exclusively during the last decade of his life. Diagnosed with cancer, Matisse (1869-1954) became unable to walk and would have assistants paint sheets of paper with bright colours. He would then use scissors to cut out forms of varying shapes and sizes - from the vegetal to the abstract - which he then arranged into lively compositions. Some of the cut-outs visibly retain their original brushstrokes and pin holes from where they were arranged, and rearranged, on the artist's studio walls.
The parakeet is the blue shape on the left and the mermaid is the shape on the right. The work was a way for Matisse to bring the beauty of his garden into his studio at the time when he was unable to venture outside due to his illness. This colourful work transports us to some tropical, mystical land and is unquestionably good for the soul.
In 2014-2015 the Museum of Modern Art collaborated with Tate Modern in London and exhibitions of Matisse's cut-out works were held in both cities and featured around 100 works borrowed from public and private collections around the globe.
Available as an archival quality reproduction in 9 standard metric sizes in the following formats: an unframed print; a framed print; a stretched canvas; a canvas floating frame. Frames are available in white, natural oak, chocolate oak and black sustainable timber.
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