Henri Matisse and Henri Matisse, Presentation Maquette, Poésies de Stéphane Mallarmé
Study for “Arranging the Hair of Herodias” (refused etching)
20th century
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Study for “Arranging the Hair of Herodias” (refused etching)
20th century
Physical Qualities
Etching with plate tone, Sheet: 320 x 225 mm. (12 5/8 x 8 7/8 in.)
Plate: 237 x 158 mm. (9 5/16 x 6 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
The Cone Collection, formed by Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone of Baltimore, Maryland
Object Number
1950.12.694.14
This etching may have served as the genesis for not one but two illustrations in the Herodias sequence. Not only do we see Matisse experimenting with how to present the interaction of Herodias and her nurse, but also the small head sketched at bottom left anticipates the final iconic image of Herodias displayed in the next case. While the exact order of execution of Matisse’s preparatory drawings studies is for the most part undocumented (except in instances where Matisse inscribed roman numerals on the sheets after the fact), for certain illustrations, Matisse used the etching needle to develop his composition, rather than pencil.
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.
Bois, Yve-Alain, ed. Matisse in the Barnes Foundation, vol. 3. Philadelphia: Barnes Foundation, 2015, p. 107, fig. 1.
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 right in graphite: "Le coiffure d'Hérodiade / planche refusée / Henri Matisse"
Markings: no WM; chopmark: MALLARME ET MATISSE
