Christie’s roundel
Lot 510 THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR

Henri Matisse (1869-1954)

Nus

Closed3 February 2010

Price Realised

GBP 229,250

More Information

How to sell

Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
Nus
signed 'Henri Matisse' (on the underside)
painted and glazed ceramic
Height: 20 7/8 in. (53 cm.)
Executed circa 1905-1906; this work is unique

Morris J. Pinto, Geneva.
Anonymous sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 25 November 2003, lot 21.
Acquired at the above sale; sale, Christie's, London, 8 February 2005, lot 355.
Private collection, London, by whom acquired at the above sale and thence by descent.

Specialist note

Wanda de Guébriant has confirmed the authenticity of this work.


Between 1906 and 1908 a number of artists with the Galerie Ambroise Vollard, including Matisse, Derain, Dufy and Friesz, explored the possibilities inherent in ceramics at the studio of André Metthey (1871-1920) in Asnières. As was the case with illustrated books, this collaboration, made possible by the patronage of Vollard, bears witness to the creative experiments launched by this young generation of painters in search of new means of expression. In 1936 Vollard donated approximately fifty of these ceramics to the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris and today the vast majority of the remaining production is housed in the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.