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"Matisse, Derain and Friends" at the Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau Dives into the World of Fauvism

The upcoming grand special exhibition, Matisse, Derain and Friends, is set to bring the groundbreaking Fauvist movement of the early 20th century into the spotlight. The exhibition will be held at the esteemed Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau and will feature approximately 160 works, many of which have never been seen before in Switzerland.

André Derain, Femme en chemise, 1906, Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen

The Rise of the Fauves

Labeled as "wild beasts" by art critic Louis Vauxcelles, artists like Henri Matisse, André Derain, Georges Braque, and Maurice de Vlaminck spearheaded a revolution in painting with their vivid, bold uses of color. This comprehensive exhibition explores the intricate relationships and influences among the Fauves and highlights their defiance of traditional aesthetic norms.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Capturing the effervescent spirit of Fauvism, the exhibition spotlights works created between 1904 and 1908, a period when the movement truly took shape. By delving into the revolutionary strategies around color and composition developed by Matisse and Derain during their summer in Collioure in 1905, the exhibition invites viewers to explore how Fauvist art emerged as a vivid emotional language.

Beyond the Palette: The Socio-Cultural Canvas

Matisse, Derain and Friends also provides a holistic view of Fauvism within the broader socio-cultural landscape. Special attention is given to the role of women, often overlooked in the traditional narratives, who significantly contributed to the movement. Artists like Émilie Charmy and Marie Laurencin are finally acknowledged, alongside significant patrons like Amélie Parayre-Matisse and Berthe Weill.

First-rate Loans and Highlights

The exhibition draws from an exceptional range of public and private collections, including the Centre Pompidou, the Museum of Modern Art, and the National Gallery of Art, among others. Visitors can look forward to seminal works by Matisse, such as "Luxe, Calme et Volupté" and "La Sieste," as well as André Derain’s acclaimed "London Paintings" series.

Accompanying Publication

To enrich your experience, an illustrated publication featuring contributions from leading art historians and critics will be released in tandem with the exhibition.