ISBN9780806544168
Available onSep 30, 2025
Published byCitadel
Pages320
Dimensions6 x 9
Spotlighting the years during WWII when Henri Matisse and his family defiantly refused to evacuate Nazi-occupied France, this groundbreaking book illuminates the previously untold history of their passionate roles in the Resistance and the prodigious, revolutionary work the artist produced in the face of fascism, violence, and hate.
In 1940, with the Nazis sweeping through France, Henri Matisse found himself at a personal and artistic crossroads. His 42-year marriage had ended, he was gravely ill, and after decades at the forefront of modern art, he was beset by doubt. As scores of famous figures escaped the country, Matisse took refuge in Nice, with his companion, Lydia Delectorskaya. By defiantly remaining, Matisse was a source of inspiration for his nation.
While enemy agents and Resistance fighters played cat-and-mouse in the alleyways of Nice, Matisse’s son, Jean, engaged in sabotage efforts with the Allies. In Paris, under the swastika, Matisse’s estranged wife, Amélie, worked for the Communist underground. His beloved daughter, Marguerite, active in the French Resistance, was arrested and tortured by the Gestapo, sentenced to Ravensbruck concentration camp—and miraculously escaped when her train was halted by Allied bombs. His younger, son, Pierre helped Jewish artists escape to New York; even his teenaged grandson risked his life by defying the Germans and their Vichy collaborators.
Amidst this chaos, Matisse responded to the dark days of war by inventing a dazzling new paper technique that led to some of his most iconic pieces, including The Fall of Icarus, his profile of Charles De Gaulle, Monsieur Loyal, and his groundbreaking cut-out book, Jazz. His wartime works were acts of resistance, subtly patriotic and daringly new.
Drawing on intimate letters and a multitude of other sources, Christopher C. Gorham illuminates this momentous stage of Matisse’s life as never before, revealing an artist on a journey of reinvention, wrenching meaning from the suffering of war, and holding up the light of human imagination against the torch of fascism to create some of the most exciting work of his career, of the 20th century, and in the history of art.
Praise for Matisse at War:
“A gripping story of art, love, and war. Gorham skillfully builds a case for just what was at stake for Matisse, his family, and for art, and how the artist reckoned with all three. By the end of this excellent account, Matisse is a quiet hero… one of art and of age.” —Kirkus
“A mesmerizing story of artistic genius, a gutsy family, and defiance of tyranny in the face of evil. Gorham’s elegant prose and brilliant research make this a must read for those who love art and history.” —Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of Patton’s Prayer: A True Story of Courage, Faith and Victory in Word War II.
“Gorham peels back the layers of Henri Matisse in Occupied France—his wartime exploits, creative outbursts, and his quiet Resistance work. Gorham brings the reader beyond the color and dazzle of Matisse’s paintings and reveals the psyche of an aging pioneer of modern art, who bravely refused to leave his country and became an icon of the French struggle for freedom. A must-read for art lovers and history buffs alike.” —Michelle Young, author of The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero, Rose Valland.
“A beautifully written account of the great modernist artist’s harrowing experiences in a France torn by occupation and resistance. While continuing to produce work that lives on in the galleries and annals of contemporary art, Matisse witnessed his nation and family riven by war and the barbarism of Nazi Germany. Gorham captures the era in a compelling tapestry that not only brings Matisse to life, but also offers a vivid account of a wounded country.” —Tim Brady, author of The Light in the Northern Sea and Three Ordinary Girls
“A compelling tale, delightfully told, of a great artist’s courage and resilience during a time of upheaval. The Matisse who leaps from these pages is neither a saint nor a hero, but always fully alive, often flawed but touchingly human. In addition to providing a thoroughly convincing portrait of the artist himself, Gorham has assembled a fascinating cast of characters forced to cope with extraordinary circumstances.” —Miles J. Unger, author of Picasso and the Painting that Shocked the World.
“From the salons and galleries of pre-war Paris to the liberation of Vichy France, Matisse at War is a captivating page-turner that blends history with the pacing and verve of a wartime novel. Matisse’s lives–both professional and personal–offer a new look at the global conflict, beautifully blending extensive research into the topic with an eye for capturing details of the renowned painter’s world.” —Stephanie Hinnershitz, Ph.D, Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, The National WWII Museum
“Christopher C. Gorham’s Matisse at War provides a fascinating insight into a less familiar aspect of Matisse’s career.” —Philip Hook, author and former Director of Impressionist and Modern Art at Sotheby’s
