This exquisite lithograph after Henri Matisse (1869–1954), titled Mademoiselle L.L. (Miss L.L.), originates from the 1954 album Portraits par Henri Matisse (Portraits by Henri Matisse), published by Editions du livre, Monte-Carlo, under the direction of Andre Sauret, Monte-Carlo, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, December 20, 1954. In Mademoiselle L.L., Matisse captures his subject with an elegant fusion of clarity, rhythm, and warmth. The portrait exemplifies his refined mastery of line, distilling the essence of form into a serene and poetic balance.
Executed on velin paper, this lithograph measures 12 x 9.25 inches (30.5 x 23.5 cm), paper size; 9.84 x 7.87 inches (25 x 20 cm), image size. Signed in the plate and unnumbered, as issued. The edition reflects the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, underscoring Matisse’s continuing influence on twentieth-century modernism.
Artwork Details:
Artist: After Henri Matisse (1869–1954)
Title: Mademoiselle L.L. (Miss L.L.), from Portraits par Henri Matisse (Portraits by Henri Matisse), 1954
Medium: Lithograph on velin paper, mounted on velin paper backing sheet, as issued
Dimensions: 12 x 9.25 inches (30.5 x 23.5 cm), paper size; 9.84 x 7.87 inches (25 x 20 cm), image size
Inscription: Signed in the plate and unnumbered, as issued
Date: 1954
Publisher: Editions du livre, Monte-Carlo, under the direction of Andre Sauret, Monte-Carlo
Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris
Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium
Provenance: From the album Portraits par Henri Matisse (Portraits by Henri Matisse), published by Editions du livre, Monte-Carlo, 1954
Notes:
Excerpted from the album (translated from French), This album was composed entirely by Henri Matisse, who himself chose the works lithographed. The cover is a composition by the artist, executed especially for this work, as well as the original lithograph printed on the frontispiece. This album, directed by Andre Sauret, under the direction of Henri Matisse, was drawn to MMDCCCL examples, numbered from I to MMDCCCL, and completed printing on December 20, 1954. The original lithography, the cover and the color plates were drawn on the presses of the Mourlot Freres workshops; the phototypie is by Louis Duval; and, the typography of L'Imprimerie Union.
About the Artist:
Henri Matisse (1869–1954) was a French painter, sculptor, draughtsman, and printmaker whose revolutionary vision redefined modern art through his daring use of color, line, and form. Celebrated as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Matisse led the Fauvist movement and devoted his life to the pursuit of balance, beauty, and emotional expression in visual art. His early works burst with vibrant hues and liberated brushwork, while his later “cut-out” compositions achieved a poetic simplicity that transformed the relationship between color and space. Deeply influenced by the work of Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat, as well as by the rhythmic patterns of Islamic art, Byzantine mosaics, and Japanese prints, Matisse forged a new visual language that celebrated joy, movement, and serenity. He was part of an extraordinary generation of artists who shaped the evolution of modernism, maintaining lifelong dialogue and friendly rivalry with contemporaries such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall, Andre Derain, Albert Marquet, and Raoul Dufy—peers who, like him, sought to expand the expressive potential of color and composition. Matisse’s influence extended across generations, inspiring modern and contemporary masters including Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, each of whom drew upon his fearless experimentation and refined visual harmony. His paintings, sculptures, and works on paper are held in the most prestigious museums in the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Tate, and the Hermitage Museum, where his art continues to symbolize the essence of creativity and human emotion. The highest price ever paid for a Henri Matisse artwork is approximately $80.8 million USD, achieved in 2018 at Christie's New York for Odalisque couchee aux magnolias (1923).
Henri Matisse Mademoiselle L.L., Matisse Portraits par Henri Matisse, Matisse Editions du livre Monte-Carlo,
Matisse Mourlot...