Voyage and Vision in the Life of Matisse

The EYE Film Institute and the Stedelijk Museum are proud to present a program of films in the context of the exhibition The Oasis of Matisse (March 26 – August 16, 2015, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam). The artworks and travels of the great French impressionist Henri Matisse are described by Roger Benjamin (professor of art history at the University of Sydney) and accompanied by early films about his destinations of Algeria, Morocco, and Tahiti.

For this evening Professor Benjamin has selected some special film material by the Lumière brothers: Biskra, Noce Arab (35mm, 1906, collection: Lumière brothers) and Ramasseurs des Sous (35mm, 1906, collection: Lumière brothers). In 1906, Matisse visited the Batna, Biskra, and Sidi Okba areas in Algeria, and the film material shows this environment as the French painter must have seen it with his own eyes at the time. Matisse”s most important destinations will also be discussed by Benjamin with reference to impressive works in the exhibition, including the monumental paper cut-out work The Parakeet and The Mermaid (1952-53, collection: Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam). In addition, there is some original film material from the time of his travels, such as Au Maroc: Tanger (In Morocco, Tangiers) (35mm, 1908 collection: EYE film museum). The silent films are accompanied by piano music from the early twentieth century, wholly in the style of the period, performed by Nora Mulder.