Henri Matisse' last masterpiece – a hidden gem on the French Riviera

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Some artworks must be experienced in silence to be truly understood.

Recently, I had the chance to experience this myself when I visited the Matisse Chapel – or the Chapel of the Rosary – in the South of France. A miraculous work of art, born of light, color, and a deep inner journey. (Watch my video from the chapel here on Instagram.)

Henri Matisse was a pioneer of avant-garde art, founder of Fauvism, and a master of the groundbreaking cut-out technique.
(We explore this in detail in our educational art club here.) And yet, it wasn’t his wild, vibrant paintings or revolutionary paper cut-outs that he considered his greatest masterpiece – but this chapel.

Chapelle Matisse / Chapelle du Rosaire, Vence, France Photo © The Art Trotter

Imagine this: An aging Matisse, weakened by illness, finds a new way to create. Not with brush and canvas, but with stained glass, ceramic tiles, and architecture.

Together with a nun, he designed every single element of the chapel.

Chapelle Matisse / Chapelle du Rosaire, Vence, France Photo © The Art Trotter

This was no traditional church!

The chapel is radically modern, with unconventional ways of portraying sacred stories. There are no ornate details here – just simple, organic lines and an explosion of color that fills the space with light and spirituality. The blue, yellow, and green stained-glass windows let the light in like a dance between heaven and earth, giving visitors a sense of calm and timelessness.

Why do you think Matisse chose these specific colors, and what might they represent?

The chapel’s blue-and-white ceiling. Chapelle Matisse / Chapelle du Rosaire, Vence, France Photo © The Art Trotter

Can you imagine how it feels to stand in a space where light and color merge into pure harmony?
How an artist’s vision can embrace you, fill you with peace, and at the same time awaken a deep, inner wonder?

We dive deeper into the life and art of Henri Matisse in our online Art Club. Here we don’t just explore his famous masterpieces, but also his groundbreaking work with space, color, and spirituality.

Join our wonderful art community and be inspired by one of modernism’s greatest figures – click here to register (Norwegian speakers). For English speakers, send us an e-mail to join the waiting list on [email protected]

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Henri Matisse' last masterpiece – a hidden gem on the French Riviera

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