1960 HENRY MATISSE ‘JAZZ’ LITHOGRAPH PIPER-BÜCHEREI NO. 115 MOMA COLLECTOR ART BOOK

Henry Matisse ‘Jazz’ Published by R. Piper & Co. for Museum of Modern Art NY | Rare Small-Scale Lithographic Edition

Series: Piper-Bücherei, Volume 115

Publisher: R. Piper & Co. Verlag, Munich

Commission: Produced for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York

Bibliographic Description:

A small-format hardcover volume issued as part of the Piper-Bücherei series. This 1960 edition was printed in Berlin by Thormann & Goetsch and represents a mid-century effort to disseminate Matisse’s "papiers découpés" (cut-out) method to a wider institutional audience. The publication followed the MoMA’s 1960 exhibition of the original Jazz portfolio, which had been donated by the artist in 1948.

Technical Specifications:

• Plates: Contains 16 lithographic reproductions selected from the twenty original 1947 Editions Verve plates, plus an additional cover illustration.

• Text: Includes the artist’s handwritten French text (reproduced lithographically) alongside English translations.

• Documentation: Features a two-page postscript by E. Tériade and a four-page index of plates.

• Dimensions: 18.7 cm x 11.1 cm. 60 pages.

Material and Artistic Analysis:

The volume captures Matisse’s late-period transition to "drawing with scissors," a process characterized by the direct manipulation of color as a sculptural medium. The lithography in this 1960 printing is noted for its high degree of color fidelity, particularly within the saturation of the gouache-toned plates. The layout preserves the relationship between the chromatic elements and Matisse’s hand-rendered calligraphy, which was designed to provide a rhythmic counterpoint to the visual compositions.

Condition Summary:

• Binding: Original illustrated paper-covered boards. Minimal shelf wear to the spine ends and corners.

• Internals: Pages are intact and securely bound. No evidence of significant foxing or previous owner markings. It remains exceptionally clean, showing only the light signs of handling and shelf wear consistent with a well-preserved 60-year-old archival volume.

• Provenance: An authentic 1960 specimen with the "115" series designation on the spine.