Original c 1945-46 Henri Matisse Pen Ink Study Letters “V & T” Book Illustration

This listing is for “V et T (study for Les Fleurs du mal or Visages)” circa 1945-46 by Henri Matisse (1869-1954) pictured above.About this work:An excellent, original ink study by legendary French artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954).This wonderful study depicts a group of six stylized letters “V” and “T”and was created for one of the books that Matisse was illustrating at the time (either Les Fleurs du mal or Visages). This period in Matisse’s life was significant as the artist was wheelchair bound and unable to paint or sculpt easily following his treatment for duodenal cancer. Instead, his primary output was centered around cut-outs and illustrations.While his illustrations often appear to be created with minimal effort, Matisse worked hard and with extreme conscientiousness through trial and error to achieve an effect of carefree spontaneity - often creating multiple studies of the same subject to do so (as seen here with his repetition of the letters V and T). A full exhibition dedica