Henri Matisse: Rooms with a View by Shirley Neilsen Blum (2010-11-01) Hardcover – January 1, 1884

This attractive coffee-table book features lovely large colour reproductions of his paintings alongside incisive scholarly analysis, presented in chronological order and corresponding to the main events of his life.The thought and aims of Matisse, that most methodical, conceptual and structured of artists is explored and revealed in a very readable text. Overall this is very well-written and put together. Enjoy being transported to the distant times and sunny holiday locales he delighted to picture. If you are an aficionado, you will love this. I bought it as a basic introduction and it does not disappoint in this regard.

There have been many high quality books published on the work of Henri Matisse, and just about all of the work featured in Henri Matisse: Rooms with a View have appeared before. Having said that, many of the big books on Matisse were originally published quite a few years ago. This collection of paintings spans almost the entire career of Matisse, nominally focusing on the theme of 'the view', and they're all interesting works. The images are generally quite large, and seem to be good quality, although I notice some of the works featured both in this book and another new publication, Matisse: Radical Invention 1913-1917, are noticeably different. The images in 'Radical Invention' are more detailed and seem to have a little extra 'quality' colour, while the same images in 'Rooms with a View' seem just a little less nuanced, though they are bigger. It's a bit like listening to your favourite music album through different sound systems - it's the same great music, just with slightly different qualities.In short, a nice cross-section of Matisse works, large, quality images, nice heavy paper, and a good introductory selection of works by a great artist.Matisse: Radical Invention 1913-1917 is also well worth considering (it is based on an exhibition with extensive technical analysis of a significant period of change in the work of Matisse).Cheers

Well researched; quality reproductions; well written; good size (not too large or small); a must buy for anyone that is into Matisse. I base these comments from the perspective of a professional artist who follows and knows a lot about Matisse.

The writing and insights are unsurpassed. Great reproductions. A pleasure to delve into whenever I want a stimulating discussion of Matisse.

I am an artist and have a library of many art books, many on Matisse. I was teaching a class on painting views from windows, and saw this book on Amazon. Wasn't sure whether to order it because I thought I had most of the reproductions in other books on Matisse. It turned out to be a great addition to my library. The reproductions are very large, and the color seems quite accurate. There are some reproductions that I don't have in other books ( the Green Pumpkin being one). The text is interesting, although I am most interested in the images. I would highly recommend this book.

Great book if you love Matisse!

Although I already have at least five books about Henry Matisse I decided to purchase this book.I have purchased the book mostly for the quantity, quality and size of the pictures included. Reproduction selection is very good, and includes some paintings that you don't see that often. Many of the reproductions are large so you can really enjoy the views. The color seems accurate. As of now, I didn't read the text.

Nice for a Matisse fan!

Beautiful book with fine colour reproductions.....essential when reproducing Matisse to pitch the colour as exactly as posssible as he was a supreme colourist. Some marvellous pictures that were new to me (as a painter who loves Matisse, thought I'd seen most of his works). The repeated theme of the window brings you very closely into the feel and ambience of Matisse's world- his work, his soul. A book with atmosphere to be treasured.

The book is made in a very interesting way: every painting (good big photos) is described with an excellent analyses which links the painting to the personal history and life of Matisse. It is like the writer loans her spectacles to me and I am getting a fresh new idea about the artist and his talent in the context of painting interiors.The language is clear and understandable even if you are not familiar with art theories and history of modernism.I study one painting every day and I do it in the evening. It fulls my day with expectations and I am never disappointed.

Wonderfuly large reproductions and included many works I had never seen before

The essay is very well written and interesting to read, the layout design is nice and easy for readers to look at this book, and the most important is that the reproduction of the art works are big and clear, which is great for me to study the artist’s work.

E' stato un regalo per una persona appassionata d'arte, lo ha apprezzato tantissimo. Naturalmente la lingua è inglese, ma nel mio caso non è stato un problema.Consegna ritardata, anche se a causa di problemi tecnici e del ferragosto. In qualunque caso il pacco era ben imballato e il prodotto nuovissimo e ancora avvolto nella sua pellicola protettiva.

I expected a Thames & Hudson book and instead received an identical book published by The Monacelli Press with worse quality of the photos.

... see them reproduced here.It's really a good coffee-table book which captures the true spiritand vibe of Matisse. That Riviera look, in this gloomy English weather,lives the spirits.Makes a much appreciated gift too.

Le livre est arrivé en parfait état, les couleurs sont relativement fidèles, l'impression et le design graphique sont agréables. Je l'avais précédemment consulté en boutique et je ne suis pas déçue; sujet atypique que celles des vues de Matisse.