Paintings, Drawings, Lithographs by Henri Matisse and his Contemporaries, April 15-May 10, 1926

Description from the exhibition catalog: Henri Matisse, the father and chief spokesman of the modernistic Movement in France, has explained that he and his followers aim to render, not a concrete, photographic picture of nature, but rather the abstract effect which is produced upon man’s consciousness by some aspect of nature. He believes that this can be accomplished only through “simplification, organization, and expression,” the three elements which he feels are embodied in his work and in that of his contemporaries.

The members of this school are, first of all, great artists, very accomplished draftsmen and colorists, and they frankly display these talents. Where their predecessors strove to conceal their “touches” to cover the “mechanics” or the means by which they secured their effects, Matisse and his fellow modernists exploit their brush strokes, make them a definite part of their decorative effect, a part of their composition.

Matisse’s work is primitive, elemental, and if there is a seeming lack or distortion of form, it is only that he wishes to dissuade the eye from dwelling on the concrete externals, in order thimagination may be stimulated to go deeper into the abstract sensations.

Vuillard is represented here by two small still life pictures which bear out his own statement that he loved the things he paints, for there is expressed in the painting a delight in the beauty of these exquisite flowers. He is noted for his unusual perspective and striking color.

Pierre Bonnard has a gift of charming one through the appeal of his glowing color and of his arrangements, and also by the subtlety of his design.

There are in this collection four canvases by Maurice, Denis, two being characteristic religious subjects, expressing an exquisite simplicity of sentiment, and of joyous and radiant faith.

Andrew Derain shows, both in landscape and figure painting, a great delicacy in handling, without loss of plastic volume, a rhythmical and emphatic design and vibrancy of color.

Albert Marquet displays great breadth and vigor and a remarkable brilliancy in his green and blue tones. The “Baie d’Alger” is a delicate epitome of Spring.

K.X. Roussel’s canvases, with their sculptural forms and rhythmic arrangements have rare beauty and distinction, while their color possesses great charm.

Source: Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings, Lithographs by Henri Matisse, Albert Marquet, Edouard Vuillard, K.X. Roussel, Pierre Bonnard, André Derain, Maurice Denis. San Francisco: The California Palace of the Legion of Honor, 1926. Exhibition catalogue.