June 13, 2012–January 7, 2013
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Henri Matisse. Emma's Face Turned to the Left I (Visage d'Emma tourné à gauche I). 1915
Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954). Emma's Face Turned to the Left I (Visage d'Emma tourné à gauche I). 1915. Monotype on chine collé, plate: 7 11/16 x 5 13/16" (19.6 x 14.8 cm); sheet: 14 3/4 x 10 5/8". (37.4 x 27 cm). Publisher: unpublished. Printer: the artist, Paris. Edition: unique. Acquired through the generosity of Jerry I. Speyer, 2011. © 2012 Succession H. Matisse, Paris / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Emma’s Face Turned to the Left, like many of the artist’s monotypes, played an important historical role: Matisse regularly used the money earned from selling the works to send food and supplies to French prisoners of war during World War I. This print was inscribed by Matisse with the dedication, Pour les Prisonniers civils en Bohain-en-Vermandois (“For the civilian prisoners in Bohain-en-Vermandois,” his hometown).