BMA Opens Three Simultaneous Matisse Exhibitions
The Baltimore Museum of Art, which boasts the largest public collection of Henri Matisse's artworks, has unveiled three new exhibitions. The exhibit 'Fratino and Matisse: To See This Light Again' features approximately 30 pieces by Matisse alongside contemporary artist Louis Fratino, examining a range of themes. 'Matisse and Martinique: Portraits and Poetry' presents book illustrations from Matisse's trip to Martinique in 1930, influenced by John-Antoine Nau's 'Poésies Antillaises.' Additionally, 'Matisse in Vence: The Stations of the Cross,' organized in collaboration with the Musée Matisse in Nice, displays 85 paper works related to Matisse's chapel project in Vence during World War II. These exhibitions will be available until June 28, 2026; September 6, 2026; and October 25, 2026, respectively.
Key facts
- BMA holds the world's largest public collection of Matisse works.
- 600 pieces were donated by Claribel and Etta Cone in 1949.
- Three concurrent exhibitions: 'Fratino and Matisse', 'Matisse and Martinique', 'Matisse in Vence'.
- 'Fratino and Matisse' features about 30 works by Matisse and Louis Fratino.
- Louis Fratino is from Maryland and studied at Maryland Institute College of Art.
- 'Matisse and Martinique' focuses on book illustrations for John-Antoine Nau's 'Poésies Antillaises'.
- Matisse visited Martinique in 1930.
- 'Matisse in Vence' includes 85 rarely shown works on paper about Matisse's only architectural project—a chapel in Vence.
- The chapel was designed during WWII after Matisse moved to Vence to escape bombing.
- The chapel commission came from a former model who became a Dominican nun.
- Matisse designed stained glass windows and ceramic murals for the chapel.
- 'Matisse in Vence' is co-organized with Musée Matisse in Nice.
- Guest curated by Yve-Alain Bois with Alix Agret.
- 'Matisse in Vence' runs March 29–June 28, 2026.
- 'Fratino and Matisse' runs March 11–September 6, 2026.
- 'Matisse and Martinique' runs March 18–October 25, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Henri Matisse
- Louis Fratino
- Claribel Cone
- Etta Cone
- John-Antoine Nau
- Yve-Alain Bois
- Alix Agret
Institutions
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- Maryland Institute College of Art
- Musée Matisse
- Institute for Advanced Study
- Artists Rights Society (ARS)
- Sikkema Malloy Jenkins
- David Zwirner
Locations
- Baltimore
- Maryland
- United States
- Martinique
- France
- Nice
- Vence
- Princeton
- New Jersey
- Switzerland
- Berlin
- New York