MATISSE Henri Emile (1869 - 1954) - "The Swordsman, Plate XIII of Jazz". 1947. Stencil on Arches vellum. Nice proof with a part of the lithographed text of the Jazz portfolio (page 89-90). Plate realized from a cut-out gouache of Henri Matisse dating from 1943, with the same Linel gouaches used by the artist, printed by Vairel and the Draegel Brothers (Paris). It was conceived as one of the 20 stencils accompanying the 152 pages of text in the portfolio "Jazz", published by Tériade in Paris in 1947. "Jazz" is Matisse's most famous set and was his first complete work based on gouache and cut-out papers, accompanying a text composed by the artist himself. This particularity makes this work the most accomplished "painter's book" of his career. Bedridden and convalescent around 1930, Matisse adapted his working methods to this logistical handicap. Thanks to the cut-out gouaches, he discovered the way to combine his talent as a colorist with his great mastery of the poetry of arabesques. From his friendship with the publisher Tériade, the project of a painter's book conceived by the eye of the colorist was born. The elaboration of Jazz will require five years of work from both men, three of which Tériade will have to find the technical means to print plates whose colors will satisfy Matisse's requirements. If the text attached to the compositions does not necessarily illustrate them, Matisse will however explain the choice of the title of the work by the correspondence existing between the freedom of musical improvisation and that of the pictorial composition.42,5 x 65 cm. Condition A (some rare and pale freckles on the extreme edge of the margins).