Matisse at L’Orangerie

In 1930, Matisse went on a 9 month trips around the world. He didn’t paint or sketch but took about 50 photos. He returned to France where he received a commission to paint a mural for the Barnes Foundation. His work intentionally became more decorative. He worked with photography to document the way he transformed and rework a single painting. He intentionally stayed in France as 1940 began and concentrated on painting as World War II raged on for five years.