Henri Matisse and Henri Matisse, Presentation Maquette, Poésies de Stéphane Mallarmé
Study for “The Faun”
1931-1932
Scroll
Study for “The Faun”
1931-1932
Physical Qualities
Black crayon on paper (recto and verso), Sheet: 338 x 231 mm. (13 5/16 x 9 1/8 in.)
Mat: 18" x 14"
Credit Line
The Cone Collection, formed by Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone of Baltimore, Maryland
Object Number
1950.12.725
No longer a female figure holding a musical instrument, the figure in this two-sided study transitions into a male faun—a part-human, part-goat hybrid creature from classical mythology whose lust was more suited to the violent passions expressed within the text. Shown with arms outstretched, the faun holds up the grapes that, “avid for drunkenness,” will be devoured. At the lower left, in graphite, Matisse has faintly inscribed “Couple, adieu” from the last line of the poem, where the faun bids goodbye to his intended victims: “Both of you / farewell; I’m going to see the shadow you became.”
The Baltimore Museum of Art by bequest of Etta Cone, 1949; Etta Cone, Baltimore, MD by purchase, 1931-33; the artist
BMA, "Henri Matisse: The Spirited Line--Works on Paper, 1898-1950, from the Museum Collection," 7 September - 2 November 1986.
Katy Rothkopf and Leslie Cozzi, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A Modern Influence: Henry Matisse, Etta Cone, and Baltimore," October 3, 2021 - January 2, 2022.
Katy Rothkopf and Leslie Cozzi, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A Modern Influence: Henry Matisse, Etta Cone, and Baltimore," October 3, 2021 - January 2, 2022.
Guillaud, Maurice, and Jacqueline Guillaud. Matisse: le rythme et la ligne. Paris: Guillaud Editions, 1987, plate no. 618 (published as “L’Après-midi d’un Faune; faune a la grappe de raisins”).
Cozzi, Leslie and Katherine Rothkopf (eds). "A Modern Influence: Henri Matisse, Etta Cone, and Baltimore." Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 2021. ill.
Inscribed: lower left in graphite, faint: "Couple, adieu;"
Markings: Chopmark: MALLARME ET MATISSE
