The Codomas

published 1947

Henri Matisse

Associated Names
Henri Matisse

Artist, French, 1869 - 1954

This abstract painting features bold, geometric shapes. In the center are two rectangles, one green and one yellow, stacked on top of each other to form a square. This is bordered on the top, left, and right by a thick tan outline, and outside of that is a bright orange border on the left, right, and bottom sides. Yellow wavy lines cross the green rectangular background, while small black diamonds cover most of the yellow section. There is a diagonal blue U shape near the top left corner, and a smaller diagonal tan U shape near the top right. There are blue wavy lines at the top, red wavy lines on the left, and purple wavy lines on the right. Some of these wavy lines look vaguely leaf-like.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    color stencil in gouache

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Keck

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 42 x 65 cm (16 9/16 x 25 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1980.8.11

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Duthuit-Matisse 1983, undescribed

  • Series Title

    Jazz: pl.XI [1980.8.1-20]

Associated Artworks

See all 20 artworks
The image consists of a variety of geometric shapes and flowing lines to create an abstract composition. On the left side, there is a vertical wavy black line next to a bright yellow strip. Above this is a rectangular band of royal blue with rectangular cutouts. In the center, there is a white silhouette with red burst patterns. This figure stands against a black background. On the right side, there is a vast expanse of plain white space.

The Clown

Henri Matisse

1947

The image contains bold, sweeping lines on a slanted rectangle, reminiscent of stylized letters or musical symbols. It gives the impression of musical notes on a staff. "Henri Matisse" is written elegantly at the top and "Écrito de Editeur" below. The design is artistic and handwritten. The background is neutral-toned.

Jazz

Henri Matisse

1947

The Circus

Henri Matisse

1947

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(dealer, New York); purchased 1948 by Mr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Keck, Washington, D.C.; gift 1980 to NGA.[1]
[1] Provenance taken from information supplied to NGA by the donor in a note dated 1/9/1980, in Secretary-General Counsel's files.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1990

  • Matisse, Jazz and Other Works on Paper from the National Gallery Collections and Promised Gifts, National Gallery of Art, DC, 1990.

Bibliography

1983

  • Duthuit-Matisse, Marguerite. Henri Matisse: Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre gravé. 2 vols. Paris, 1983.

Wikidata ID

Q65569260

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