Skip to main content
  1. Art
  2. The Collection

Henri Matisse, Vence, France

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Artwork Details

Henri Matisse, Vence, France
1944, printed later
Henri Cartier-Bresson
gelatin silver print on paper
11 5/8 in x 17 5/8 in (29.5 cm x 44.8 cm);9 1/16 in x 11 1/4 in (23 cm x 28.5 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the W. Hawkins Ferry Fund
1999/1.97

On Display

Not currently on display

Tags

Description

Subject Matter:

Henri Cartier-Bresson is known for “the decisive moment,” the fleeting time in which a photographer must make an instantaneous decision. Bresson began photographing seriously in 1930, acquiring a Leica, which was used throughout his career photographing some of the 20th century’s most important events. Bresson co-founded Magnum Photos with Robert Capa, David Seymour, and George Rodger. After 1970, Bresson turned to drawing, photographing only occasionally. This photograph of Henri Matisse is one of many taken the same day. This image shows Matisse resting on a chair, holding a bird in his hand. Three pigeons stand on a cage in the foreground.

Physical Description:

A photograph of an elderly man in an interior space. In the foreground, three pigeons sit on top of a large cage. The man holds a fourth bird and another cage sits behind him.

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.