"Vive sympathie d’art (great sympathy of art)" is a phrase found in the correspondence between Henri Matisse and Georges Rouault. Over the years prior to this exhibition, a collection of letters written by Matisse to Rouault had been found at the Fondation Georges Rouault, and a collection of letters written by Rouault to Matisse had likewise been found at the Archives Henri Matisse, bringing to light the close correspondence between the two artists.

Matisse is best known for his vibrant palette and highly decorative compositions, whereas Rouault is characterized by deep, forceful tones and religious subjects. Their art had seldom been discussed in relation to each other because of their considerable stylistic differences. This exhibition focused on the lifelong friendship between the two artists - they met as fellow students at Gustave Moreau’s class at the École des Beaux-Arts - providing fresh perspectives on their art and personalities. The roughly 90 exhibits, drawn primarily from the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, included oils, watercolors, and prints.

Exhibits :

• 87 works

Catalogue texts :

• Jacqueline Munck
• Sophie Krebs
• Anne Coron
• Anne Montfort
• Jean-Yves Rouault
• Isabelle Rouault

Lenders :

• Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
• Musée Gustave Moreau, Paris
• Courtesy Fondation Georges Rouault, Paris
• Musée national d'art moderne, Centre Pompidou
• Musée départemental Mattise, Le Cateau-Cambrésis
• Matsushita Electric Works Shiodome Museum Rouault Gallery, Tokyo
• Hiroshima Museum of Art

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[left] Georges Rouault
Fille (Titre attribué : Nu aux jarretières rouges)
1906
Aquarelle et pastel sur papier
71 x 55 cm
Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
©ADAGP, PARIS & SPDA, TOKYO, 2008

[right] Henri Matisse
Deux jeunes filles, robe jaune, robe écossaise
1941
Succession H. Matisse, Paris & SPDA, Tokyo 2007
Photo Philip Bernard