Devenir Matisse: Early Works of Henri Matisse at Le Cateau-Cambrésis

The Musée Matisse in Le Cateau-Cambrésis presents 'Devenir Matisse', the first major exhibition dedicated to Henri Matisse's early life and career before he became a Fauvist master. Born on December 31, 1869, in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, Matisse initially studied law against his father's wishes before turning to art after a period of illness. The exhibition features 260 works, including never-before-seen pieces, and 40 works by artists who influenced him, such as Rembrandt, Goya, Delacroix, Cézanne, Monet, and Picasso. Curated by Patrice Deparpe, the show traces Matisse's journey from his northern roots, his apprenticeship in Paris, his studies at the Louvre, his travels, and his encounters with Signac, Derain, and Picasso. It highlights his scientific approach to color, influenced by Michel Eugène Chevreul's color wheel, and his family's textile background. The exhibition closes with Matisse's establishment as a recognized master, acquired by collectors like Sergei Shchukin. The museum, founded by Matisse in 1952 with a donation of 80 works, now holds 1,876 pieces and is expanding into a former covered market by 2022.