Henri Matisse: From a Master of Color, the Light of Faith

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
By E. A. Carmean

Chapelle du Rosaire des Dominicaines de Vence, perched above the French Mediterranean coast

FRANCE---Arguably the greatest religious art and architecture project of the 20th century, Henri Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary, provides another reading. Matisse wrote, "I consider it my masterpiece." Before and after its June 25, 1951, consecration, Matisse's chapel was sometimes disparaged. But praise won out. Pope Pius XII requested a set of the chasubles for the Vatican, and soon so many visitors began coming as to require restricted open hours to preserve the chapel's—and Matisse's—intended purpose of serving the sisters. Amusing—and telling—was the story of an English tourist asking directions to "the chapel of St. Matisse." As for the artist, Matisse said that "I wanted to create a spiritual space." He did. [link]