Summary
Palais, Rue Fénelon, 59360 Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France
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Phone: +33 3 59 73 38 00
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Matisse Museum Overview
While many are aware of the Matisse Museum in Nice, the Matisse Museum in Le Cateau-Cambrésis is a hidden gem that deserves attention. Located near Paris, it offers an extraordinary insight into the life and work of the artist. Housed in the former archbishop’s Fénelon Palace, this museum showcases a formidable collection of art that Henri Matisse personally curated.
2. Visiting the Museum
The museum presents three permanent collections that lead visitors seamlessly from one to another. The Matisse collection guides you through the artist’s evolution, starting with his early works from his hometown of Bohain in Picardy, an area rich in textile artistry that significantly influenced his later creations. The museum’s compact nature allows for a thorough appreciation of Matisse’s vibrant and whimsical artistic styles across various mediums including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and evocative paper cut-outs.
3. Highlights
Notable works on display include Tahiti II, Vigne, Nu rose, interieur rouge, and original plaster casts from his series of four Backs.
4. The Tériade Collection
Another significant component of the museum is the Tériade Collection. Tériade, a critical figure in the art and literary world, founded the surrealist magazine Minotaure and the renowned Verve. Known for publishing exceptional writers and collaborating with remarkable artists, Tériade’s legacy is preserved in the 27 books he produced featuring iconic names like Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso. His widow made a generous donation of these works to the museum in 2000.
5. The Herbin Collection
Auguste Herbin, a local artist born in 1882, also features prominently in the museum’s collection. Following his training in Lille, Herbin drew inspiration from the works of Van Gogh and Cézanne while living in Paris. Notably, after World War I, he began creating what he termed ‘monumental objects’ like a striking 1925 piano and large polychrome reliefs. The collection impressively includes a massive stained glass window, reflecting Herbin’s unique style.
6. Getting to Le Cateau-Cambrésis
By Road:
From Paris, take the Paris-Cambrai motorway (A1, then A2 – 170 kilometers), then proceed on RN43 from Cambrai to Le Cateau-Cambrésis (22 kilometers). For those traveling from Lille or Brussels, motorways lead to Valenciennes; exit for Le Cateau-Cambrésis and take D955 (30 kilometers from Valenciennes, 90 kilometers total from Lille).
By Train:
Le Cateau-Cambrésis is conveniently located on the main Paris to Brussels train line, providing reliable access.
Explore this cultural treasure for a unique perspective on Henri Matisse and the legacy of artists influenced by his work.
