Jazz is regarded as one of Matisse?s greatest achievements, its original illustrations still exhibited as significant works in their own right. By 1947, Matisse ? in his seventies and suffering poor health ? much preferred the simple, fluid act of cutting forms from painted paper to drawing or painting. It was his intention to use this assemblage technique to illustrate a collection of poems, which would be printed as a limited edition book. Matisse?s notes, written with a paintbrush in looping letters, became integral, and the publisher agreed that they should replace the poems. They appear here in their original ?rough? form, creating a visual counterpoint to the images.

This edition is accompanied by a special book mounted on the reverse of the presentation box?s cover, featuring both a translation of Matisse?s text and two new essays: one examining Jazz?s principal place among other artists? books; the other surveying the history of artist? books as a field. Any admirer of modern art (or indeed bookmaking) will be proud to own a reproduction with such uncompromising production qualities throughout.

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