Formed thanks to the generosity of Henri Matisse and his family, the collection of the Musée Matisse Nice brings together works that come directly from the artist’s studio. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, cut-outs, prints and illustrated books make up an exceptional ensemble, offering a comprehensive overview of his work. Also comprising numerous personal objects belonging to Matisse—true models and active protagonists in his art—this collection provides a close insight into his creative process and the breadth of his aesthetic experimentation.

A chrono-thematic display, spread over four levels, illustrates the diversity of the works and highlights recent acquisitions, including Nature morte à la statuette africaine (Still Life with African Statuette, 1907), and the deposit by the Centre national des arts plastiques of four aquatints from the late 1940s.