Matisse, His Art and His Textiles: The Fabric of Dreams - an exhibition catalogue

Published by Royal Academy of Arts, 2004, softcover, illustrated, large format, 210 pages, full colour full page fine art imagery, condition: as new.

A lavishly illustrated exploration of the textile works of Henri Matisse, published to coincide with a major international exhibition, considers the artist's relationship with textiles throughout his career, documenting how the art form and its materials significantly impacted many of his key works."

This is the most gorgeous book of textiles you will ever see. Matisse collected fabric samples and costumes all his life; he referred to them as his library. In this book (from an exhibition I wish I had seen) you can see how he used them. A blue and white toile becomes a purple print on a red background; a plaid taffeta is used as is. It is such fun seeing a robe or a piece of fabric and recognizing the painting in which he used it.