The Fondation Beyeler in Riehen (Basel, Switzerland) hosts a significant retrospective of Henri Matisse from September 22, 2024, to January 26, 2025, marking the first in Switzerland and the German-speaking region in nearly two decades. Matisse, a pivotal figure in modern art, revolutionized painting by liberating color from form, infusing art with unprecedented lightness. This exhibition showcases over 70 key works spanning his career, from early 1900s pieces, through Fauvism, to his iconic cut-outs of the 1940s and 1950s. It reflects his artistic evolution influenced by travels across continents, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures. The exhibit, themed around Baudelaire’s “Invitation to the Voyage,” not only explores Matisse’s artistic journey but also physically recreates his travel experiences through multimedia presentations, offering a deep dive into the environments and processes that shaped his groundbreaking art.

Matisse – Invitation to the Voyage / Retrospective at Fondation Beyeler. Vernissage, September 21, 2024.