Matisse

Episode image for Matisse

Episode 2 of 4

Duration: 1 hour

Journalist Alastair Sooke sets out to discover just how much the artist Henri Matisse has influenced our modern lives.

Tracing the biography of this fascinating artist, and travelling through France, America and Russia, the programme explores some of the painter's greatest works. Sooke explains why Matisse's art is considered so great and also looks at how Matisse's brilliant use of colour and simplification of form continues to inspire illustrators, designers and of course artists today.

Acknowledging the debt the famous couturier Yves St Laurent owed the painter, Sooke also talks to British designers Sir Paul Smith and Tricia Guild about their passion for Matisse, he travels to Utrecht to discover how even children's character Miffy the rabbit owes its origin to art, and reveals how logos and images as diverse as Apple's iPod advertising and even the 2012 Olympic logo are inspired by the modern master.

The programme is second in a series looking at four great modern artists: Warhol, Matisse, Picasso and Dali.

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Music played

33 items

  • BBC Modern Masters: Virtual Matisse Exhibition

    BBC Modern Masters: Virtual Matisse Exhibition

    View the Modern Masters virtual Matisse gallery and get to grips with the man, the art and the meanings behind some of the most iconic artwork of the 20th century.

    BBC Modern Masters Matisse exhibit

  • BBC Modern Masters: Art Walks

    BBC Modern Masters: Art Walks

    Modern masters have created a series of walking guides so you can experience some of the very best in modern art, sculpture and architecture for free in a city near you.

    BBC Modern Masters: Art Walks

Credits

Presenter
Alastair Sooke
Director
Mark Halliley
Producer
Lucy Van Beek
Producer
Mark Halliley

Broadcasts

See all broadcasts of Matisse (7)

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