Vence Chapel Archive

Matisse was an atheist. He once wrote, "My only religion is love of the work to be created, and total sincerity." But at the end of his life, recovering from an operation that had nearly killed him, Matisse was nursed by Monique Bourgeois, who later became a Dominican nun - Sister Jacques-Marie.

To thank her, Matisse built a chapel for her and her fellow sisters in the town of Vence in southern France, designing the project right down to the last detail - including the stunning stained-glass windows, the murals, and the altar statuary. It's still in use today.