MATISSE

Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was determined to be an artist on his own terms.

In simple, compelling language, an admiring unseen narrator waxes rhapsodic about the painter’s struggles and successes. As a young child, Henri paints a circus scene on a wall to escape “his dreary world.” His mother encourages his creative endeavors, but his stern father wants him to pursue more practical activities. An unhappy stint in law school, followed by a serious illness, leads Henri to devote himself to art, his true source of happiness. In art school, Henri is instructed to paint what he sees, but he realizes he must paint what he feels. Desierto describes Henri’s failures and accomplishments as he gains in stature, producing exciting and innovative works. Another illness results in a total change. Fatigued and unable to paint, the elderly Henri puts aside the paintbrush and takes up scissors and colorful paper, cutting wonderful and imaginative shapes with which to create a whole new kind of art. Desierto uses high-spirited, brightly hued cut-paper illustrations to great effect as he captures Matisse’s passion for color and underscores an important truth: Art is about the journey, not the end result. Adult readers will recognize many of his familiar works; all will feel the joy with which they were created.

A loving, tender homage to an innovative artist.