merrion street

Exhibition contains illustrations from four of Matisse's most artistically significant books - Deenihan

Jimmy Deenihan TD Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht today (Wednesday 25th May, 2011) officially opened the new exhibition of the Art Books of Henri Matisse at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin.

 The  exhibition  features  text  and  original  illustrations  from four of Matisse's  most  artistically significant books, including the famous Jazz, as well as a Matisse book inscribed from the artist to Chester Beatty and a copy  of  Matisse’s illustrated version of James Joyce’s Ulysses, both from the Library's own collection.

 Speaking  at the opening Minister Deenihan said that Henri Matisse, was one of the 'big beasts' of the modern art movement at the beginning of the 20th century.   “Looking  at this exhibition it is easy to appreciate why he was so considered. This spectacular exhibition of art books by Matisse has been loaned  to  the  Chester Beatty Library by Bank of America Merrill Lynch. I understand  it  is  the  first time that this collection has gone on public display in Europe,” said the Minister.

 Sir  Alfred  Chester  Beatty  was a contemporary of Matisse and his Library contains one of the finest collections of manuscripts and books made by any private  collector  in the twentieth century.  They both shared an interest in art from many parts of the world such as Persian miniatures and Japanese prints.

Minister  Deenihan  also  said  “I am delighted to congratulate the Bank of America  Merrill  Lynch  for  their  far-seeing  and  very  public spirited approach  to  making their art collection widely accessible.  Through their ''Art   in  Our  Communities''  programme  they  have  lent  more  than  40 exhibitions  to  museums around the world free of charge. Indeed, I am also aware  that  Bank  of  America  Merrill  Lynch  have sponsored contemporary sculptor,  Lynda Benglis’s touring exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art  (IMMA)  I  am pleased to pay tribute to the Bank for its commitment to the arts in Ireland”.