The Unknown Matisse: A Life of Henri Matisse: The Early Years, 1869-1908

Visiting NYC for two weeks coincident with the limited exhibition of Matisse's work at the Museum of Modern Art, I was finally driven to begin reading the two volume biography by Spurling. This comment follows completion of the first volume. Tomorrow on to the second. It has been quite useful to have both the fine MoMA exhibition and additional works from its permanent collection available as well as the classics at the Met, while reading the book. A fair proportion in both settings were created during the period covered by the book. It is commonplace to base discussions of Matisse, less so with Picasso, on the comparison with Picasso. There is no doubt from the sources, that much of their careers involved awareness of the others existence and reaction to that fact. In this volume, Picasso enters onto the scene only near the end as both he and Matisse produce seminal works, Picasso's Brothel and Matisse's Dance. My own take on their lives, enlightened by this excellent biography of Matisse, is that, whatever may be ones conclusions as to their work, Picasso had by far the easier road to his achievements in the first decade of the 20th century than did Matisse. Picasso was born to an artistic family and was always the golden boy, as far as they and many friends were concerned. At 19, he was doing highly professional and generally accepted work, although too derivative for his taste and desire to be recognized as what he always knew he was meant to be: the greatest artist in Paris- which meant, to him, the greatest artist in the world. Matisse was born into a family and social setting which abhorred the idea of art as a way of life, had few who thought him even talented, and, at the age of 31 (in 1900), was still struggling to survive as an artist and to be judged as worthy of the title. His story is the classic one of the desperate struggle of an Original, against all odds, to support himself and his family, while going his own way against the tide.This book tells the story with clarity and literary skill so as to make the book almost un-put-downable. It is mandatory reading for any layperson seeking to understand Matisse and his work. It is recommended reading for anyone seeking to know Matisse better than any other source will allow (to understand his life and where the work stands within it; there are other, very fine monographs, focussed on the art-work itself, which must be read for a fuller picture of the whole man).A point about the book production: the paperbound copy of this volume which I read fell apart in the process; whether a fluke of the assembly line or a common risk, I do not know. I have the hardbound version of the second volume.

A good friend gave me Matisse the Master, the second volume of Hilary Spurling's two-volume biography. I was 100 pages into it when I decided I really needed to re-start at the beginning, so I bought The Unknown Matisse. It is one of the best biographies I've ever read. Matisse began his life in a small town where existence was still virtually medieval. With impassable roads for much of the year, life was basic and art was suspect. Despite disapproval and ridicule for his ambitions, Matisse went on to become one of the two most famous and influential artists of the 2oth century. Spurling sheds light on Matisse's struggles and humiliations as well as putting his experiences into the context of his time. You understand his later reticence after the Humbert Affair- a Bernie Madoff scenario- in which his in-laws were involved. Spurling introduces Matisse's friends, supporters and detractors and makes all the interactions so fascinating that it becomes a natural follow-up to Google all these names and follow their stories too. And then you are eager for Volume Two.

I did receive this book as promised. It was in great condition and I’m very happy with it. The seller even followed up after I received it to confirm. Highly recommend.

Broken spine was not listed for possible defects in this book. The spine of this book has been broken in several places due to deteriorating binding. The entire binding emits crackling sounds when bent indicating this book binding will continue to break.

I enjoyed knowing more about the artist's early life and the beginning stages of his art. I had not known that he was born in similar terrain to Van Gogh and only 16 years later - both turned to the South and color to get the light that was absent in their natal territory and both were instrumental in moving art to Modernism.

I, Barbara, have just finished reading this book and am eagerly awaiting the next on about " Matisse the Master." Hilary Spurling writes in a very readable style and I enjoyed the book very much. It is a long book, and I don't usually read completely such lengthly ones, but this one held my interest all the way till the end. I have been studying Matisse and his art and life at some length currently. This book and the next one are essential to understanding the artist and his art, as there seems to be much information about them both.

Couldn't put this wonderful book down! Spent many a late night and early morning reading, pondering, and highlighting the insightful passages. The book is very well researched and the abundance of information and it's relevance to Matisse's life does not go unnoticed. It is first and foremost a book about Matisse but I would be remise If I didn't mention the valuable historical aspect of the book and how well Spurling ties the history in with the man. It is a perfect weave of history and biography and Spurling is nothing short of a gifted master. I am already onto "Matisse The Master" and am loving every page. Heck, buy them both now and read them through in one fell swoop! You'll be happy you did and your mind will be ripe with creativity:)

I bought this book years ago, and now I bought it as a gift for a friend.I love to read biographies about painters and this one was really interesting as it tells you Matisse's life from a very young age and all his struggles. It is interesting to learn that he started a little bit like Van Gogh and that both were born in the north, one in Holland and the other one close to the Belgian border and both loved the south of France