Matisse at War

In 1940, as Nazi forces overtook France, artist Henri Matisse faced profound personal and artistic challenges, including a failing marriage and serious illness. While seeking refuge in Nice with his companion Lydia, Matisse became a symbol of resilience, as his family engaged in various acts of resistance against the occupying forces. Amidst the turmoil of the war, he developed an innovative paper technique that yielded some of his most celebrated works, such as The Fall of Icarus and the cut-out book Jazz, transforming his art into a subtle yet powerful act of defiance.