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MoMA's Henri Matisse Cut-Outs Exhibition Concludes with 24-Hour Final Weekend

exhibition · 2026-04-23

The Museum of Modern Art in New York presents its final extended viewing of 'Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs' before closing on February 10. This comprehensive exhibition traces the artist's invention and development of the cut-out technique through his late career. It begins with early studies and a maquette for the Barnes mural, progressing through major works like the Jazz portfolio and various ecclesiastical commissions. A highlight is the 1952 site-specific installation The Swimming Pool, originally created for the dining room walls of the Hotel Regina. Described by curators as an 'aquatic ballet of bodies, splashing water, and light,' this work consists of nine gouache-on-paper panels mounted on burlap. The show culminates with Matisse's final monumental works, directed from his deathbed, which explore pure color at a defiant scale. For its final weekend, the museum will remain open continuously for twenty-four hours.

Key facts

  • The exhibition 'Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs' is at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
  • It closes on February 10.
  • For its final weekend, the exhibition will be open for twenty-four continuous hours.
  • The show explores Matisse's invention and development of the cut-out technique.
  • It includes early studies and a maquette for the Barnes mural.
  • A major work featured is The Swimming Pool from 1952, a site-specific installation originally for the Hotel Regina.
  • The Swimming Pool is described by curators as an 'aquatic ballet of bodies, splashing water, and light.'
  • The exhibition concludes with Matisse's final monumental works created from his deathbed.

Entities

Artists

  • Henri Matisse
  • David Cohen

Institutions

  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Barnes Foundation
  • Hotel Regina
  • artcritical

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources