Henri Matisse and Henri Matisse, Presentation Maquette, Poésies de Stéphane Mallarmé
Study for “The Swan”
1930-1931
Scroll
Study for “The Swan”
1930-1931
Physical Qualities
Graphite with erasing on paper, Sheet: 332 x 250 mm. (13 1/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
Sheet (unfolded): 332 x 499 mm. (13 1/16 x 19 5/8 in.)
Mat: 20" x 16"
Credit Line
The Cone Collection, formed by Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone of Baltimore, Maryland
Object Number
1950.12.737
The image of swans are some of the most celebrated in the Mallarmé suite, combining Matisse’s intense observation of nature with his tendency to romanticize and exaggerate curvilinear forms. In the drawing inscribed with the Roman numeral I, Matisse depicted three individual swans viewed from different angles before eventually settling on a single magnificent preening specimen that he rendered with a profound economy.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by bequest of Etta Cone, 1949; Etta Cone, Baltimore, MD by purchase, 1931-33; the artist
A Modern Influence: Henri Matisse, Etta Cone, and Baltimore
Cozzi, Leslie and Katherine Rothkopf (eds). "A Modern Influence: Henri Matisse, Etta Cone, and Baltimore." Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 2021. ill.
Robert Hobbs, 'Milton Avery: The Late Paintings,' New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2001, plate 30, p. 62
Hahnloser-Ingold, Margrit. Matisse: The Graphic Work. New York: Rizzoli, 1988, p. 138 (published as “Le Vierge, le vivace”).
Guillaud, Maurice, and Jacqueline Guillaud. Matisse: le rythme et la ligne. Paris: Guillaud Editions, 1987, plate no. 641 (published as “Cygnes I”).
Victor Carlson, BMA, "Matisse as Draughtsman," exh cat 1971, fig. 51.a.
Barr, Alfred Hamilton. Matisse, His Art and His Public. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1951, page 466.
Inscribed: lower right in graphite: "Cygnes I / Henri - Matisse"
Markings: Watermark: ARCHES (TR); Chopmark: Matisse Mallarme
