Henri Matisse: Cut-Outs Drawing with Scissors- Jazz Hardcover – October 1, 2009

I can't say enough about this compilation of Matisse cut outs. It is one of the most beautiful art books I've ever seen...and I'm pretty picky about reproductions. Yes, as another reviewer mentioned, there may be a few blips in several of the plates, but these were pretty minor in my book and really didn't mar the overall experience.The plates are almost all full-page reproductions with brilliant colors which are true to the originals. There are several multi-page fold outs as well, which make a good effort to convey the sense of Matisse's larger works. The book also includes a number of black and white sketches, which are also gorgeous. And it's worth mentioning that the narrative is quite readable, thought honestly I've spent much more time looking at the plates.The only potential drawbacks I can see for some folks may be the book's size and weight. Those large plates require a big book and this one comes with dimensions of 15 inches high by 11.5 inches wide and weighs in at nearly 8 pounds. This is probably not a book you're going to be carrying around a lot! My advice would be to put it in a place where you can get to it easily and enjoy. If you like Matisse's work then you can't go wrong...It's a treasure!

This set is hefty, heavy, expensive and superbly printed. The "Jazz" volume consists of unbound leaves which include the cutouts and Matisse's hand writing in French. This section would need to be examined in a flat surface. The cutouts are justly renowned and are lyrical, musical, intensely colorful and a joy to behold.I found the second, more substantial, volume more interesting. As in "Jazz", it vividly reproduces Matisse's cutouts on high quality paper and in spectacular color. There are a number of fold outs of the art works.There are many high quality documentary photographs (a number by the artist), of Matisse on his Tahitian travels and at work in France. Despite the age of some of the photos, they are in very realistic color.There are a quantity of interesting articles concerning Matisse's cutout oeuvre as well as a translation of the writing in "Jazz". This is a grand publication; Taschen needs to be applauded for the exceptional standard of its printing. Despite its seeming expense, I regard the present Amazon price as representing fair value.

Love to be able to give this 5 stars but it just not, why?1. The printing. It's nice, but if you want great, get this out of print (1983, printed in Germany) but still available edition: search ISBN #0807610755, Henri Matisse: Jazz. I have the 1983 Jazz and set it side by side with the Jazz volume in this new 2011 set: the 1983 printing is without question superior. The image size of the prints in both the 1983 and 2011 Jazz volumes are identical (opening to full spread of 15x23) and both editions are produced on excellent heavy paper.j Note there are many editions of this title in different format sizes - if you want the full size edition you need to verify.2. The cover. Taschen should have covered the slipcase and book with a good cloth cover (like the 1983 volume has), but instead they did a nice looking but fragile cream color paper over boards. If you don't want your copy to look like a library book in a week you have to handle with gloves if you take off the book jacket, because the paper will discolor when you handle it, and don't try to clean it - the paper over the boards will shred. For $200 Taschen should have given this set a long lasting cloth cover.But, if you want to give a very nice gift of a new book, this 2 volume set is as good as it gets today...an easy 5 stars but for #1&2 above. The second volume ("Cut Outs") is very interesting on its own. If you're getting this for yourself and you mostly want Jazz, try the 1984 volume.

This is spectacular! Matisse JAZZ is an exacting replica that aims to reproduce the feeling of holding an original 1948 printing of his last great body of work. As an old man, Henri Matisse was too arthritic to hold paint brushes but could still push scissors through paper and indicate to his assistants where they should be glued down. This folio is such a close reproduction as to show the texture of the construction paper that he cut up,the subtle pencil marks he made, the variations of intensity in color from the gouache on paper. Even if you know this series well from other books, you'll be delighted with the immediacy of holding these.The commentary, in his own hand, looks like the ink had just dried on the paper. The (reproductions of the original) Lithographs are NOT STITCHED or stapled but folded into a folio and are ready for framing. The book Matisse CUT-OUTS replicates the six monographs that were published during Matisse's lifetime about his work with paper. There are many photographs, sharply and clearly reproduced. This is a handsome volume that will bring many years of great enjoyment.I've never insisted that anyone looking at my books wash their hands before handling them. This is and exception because it is exceptional- a true heirloom edition of a great body of work. Buy it while you can.

it's a very accurate and serious reproductions of Matisse cut-outs works from the very first, while working in the Barnes foundation, to the late works, that mind almost a forty years career in the most spectacular sequence of art work on paper ever done. The editorial effort include e facsimile edition of Jazz, and a highly comprehensive book on the process and history and origins of the works, circumstances, and biographical details on the editors and friends, printers, and Matisse's thoughts on the creative act. I have several hundreds of Art books but no one have made me feel so happy as this one. And more, I wish to express my congratulations to Taschen editors for give this gift to people who could never buy such a book if it would't be for this affordable price. and now, I'm going to wash my hands to give one more glance to the jewel!