Henri Emile Benoit Matisse (French, 1869-1954), Attributed/Manner of: Tahiti, ca early - mid 1900's. Hand drawn pen and ink on paper. View of a harbor from a balcony. Signed, dated (1930), and titled lower right. Collection stamp lower left reads: ML3720IIXXI. According to the document, accompanying this work, the back of the frame was titled "Terras Hotel Tahiti," and was marked with more inventory numbers. This work is no longer framed.
See Christie's New York 11/12/2018 lot #102, and Christie's London 3/1/2017 220.

On 29 March 1930, at the age of 60, Henri Matisse arrived in Papeete harbor in Tahiti. He was following in the footsteps of his great inspiration Paul Gauguin, and during his trip Matisse chose to see all the surrounding islands that Gauguin had visited, including the Marquesas Islands where Gauguin had died. This was undoubtedly a trip to rejuvenate Matisse, much as the same islands had rejuvenated the art of Gauguin many years before.

Matisse documented much of his trip with photographs and works on paper, and wrote home on a daily basis to his wife. Some of these works on paper and photographs would then become source material for oils painted in the following years.

The artist filled several sketchbooks in Tahiti, and he sketched daily in Papeete, either in the town gardens, or when it became too hot, in his room at the Hotel Stuart. He drew the furniture in his room, a number of self-portraits, and most often, the view from his room out to sea. Many of these drawings utilize his favorite framing device of the window, but a number, were sketched from his balcony.

6.5 x 10.25 inches paper.

M.J. Rosmann; Piet Middelhoek, Rotterdam; Auction, 2005 P.T. Jina Rijswijk, The Netherlands; acquired from above by the current owner, a California Gentleman.

Fair condition, adhesive verso; two small rips lower right; slightly ragged upper right corner, paper is toned and rippled throughout; two pin holes upper right.

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