The Missing Matisse

Nazi planes were bombing Paris the day a lifelong, more personal war began for Pierre. It was the day he lost his identity. Born into a famous family, Pierre Matisse grew up immersed in the art world of Paris and the French Riviera, spending time with some of the most famous artists of the twentieth century. The man he knew as his grandfather, legendary artist Henri Matisse, encouraged Pierre from a young age, creating a strong desire in him to become a great artist in his own right. Being a Matisse was an important part of young Pierre’s identity. So he was crushed and bewildered when, at the outbreak of WWII, that identity was suddenly snatched from him with no explanation. So began Pierre’s lifelong search to solve the mystery of who he really was, a quest that forms the intriguing backdrop to this memoir of a fascinating and adventurous life on three continents. Spanning the insider art world of 1930s Paris, the battles of WWII, the occupation of France by the Nazis, Pierre’s involvement with the French resistance, his post-war work restoring art and historical monuments, and his eventual decision to create a new life in North America, The Missing Matisse is a story of intrigue, faith, and drama as Pierre journeys to discover the truth―before it’s too late. Pierre Henri Matisse was born in Paris in 1928. Brought up as the grandson of Henri Matisse, Pierre spent his childhood among some of the most famous artists of the twentieth century, including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. During WWII, Pierre and his father, Jean Matisse, were heavily involved in French underground activities, wanted by the Nazis for their efforts in aiding the British spies and saboteurs. When the war ended, Pierre worked in the restoration of the art and historical monuments in France that were damaged by the war. Now a citizen of the United States, Pierre is best known as “The American Matisse, the Artist of Freedom and Love.” He is devoted to children’s causes and has given or created pieces to help organizations such as Project Hope, The American Red Cross, numerous children’s hospitals, missions organizations, and rescue programs around the world. Pierre and his wife, Jeanne, live in Florida.

Who is the mysterious woman in the Matisse drawing, Woman in a Blouse, Dreaming? What secrets is she hiding? Chloe Rea grew up with the Matisse sketch and believes the woman in the famous Rumanian blouse is her grandmother. But the sketch now belongs to Adam Jensen, who inherited it after his brother’s sudden death in the south of France. Now Chloe wants the sketch back, but someone else is willing to kill for it. When a prominent art dealer in Toronto is murdered, Chloe and Adam flee to France to walk in the footsteps of Matisse and the beautiful Russian named Lydia Delectorskaya, an orphan who became Matisse’s muse, model, caregiver, administrator, and companion for twenty years. Her remarkable story, set amid the darkness and treachery of wartime Nice, holds the key to a missing masterpiece.

Chloe Rea grew up with the Matisse sketch "Woman in a Blouse, Dreaming?" and believes the woman in the famous Rumanian blouse is her grandmother. When she tries to get the sketch back from Adam, its current owner, someone else, willing to kill for it, murders an art dealer in Toronto. Chloe and Adam flee to France to rediscover the beautiful Russian named Lydia, whose story holds the key to a missing masterpiece. Some descriptions of sex and some descriptions of violence. c2011.

Chloe Rea grew up believing the woman in the Matisse drawing "Woman in a Blouse, Dreaming" was her grandmother. The sketch belongs Adam Jensen, and although Chloe wants it, there's a third party willing to kill for it. When a Toronto art dealer is murdered, Chloe and Adam escape to France hoping to reveal the story of the beautiful woman, and in turn, discover why the drawing is so important.

First published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

When a healthy American living abroad is killed in an automobile accident, his orphaned niece inherits his fortune--and misfortune as well, in the form of a mystery involving art thefts.

For more than 50 years the passionate pursuit of color led Henri Matisse to visit some of the most enchanting villages in southern France. Travelers and art lovers will delight in this mix of art, history, biography, and travel guide that covers southern France and explores the teal skies, emerald hills, red soil, and indigo seas beloved by the artist. The journey begins in Paris and then moves to the fashionable port of St. Tropez, the fishing village of Collioure, chic and voluptuous Nice, and the rustic refuge of Vence, and ends in the luxurious resort of Cimiez. The author identifies the villas and studios where Matisse lived and worked in each location and discusses how his art responded to the palette and ambience of each local landscape.

"Recounts the publication history of nearly fifty books illustrated by Henri Matisse, including Lettres portugaises, Mallarmae's Poaesies, and Matisse's own Jazz. Explores his illustration methods, typographic precepts, literary sensibilities, and opinions about the role of the artist in the publication process"--Provided by publisher.