Matisse and his Model at the Villa D'Alésia
Lydia Delectorskaya met Henri Matisse in Nice in 1932 and became his primary model, muse, secretary, studio assistant, and close friend until his death in 1954. Here, at age seventy, Matisse paints her in the charming Paris studio lent to him by the American sculptor Mary Callery. Although it was well planned, this small photograph by Brassaï pretends to be a straightforward report of a private, unrehearsed moment. It recalls the painter’s thoughts on his own process: “The living model, the naked body of a woman, is the privileged seat of feeling, but also of questioning. . . . The model must mark you, awaken in you an emotion which you seek in turn to express.”
Artwork Details
- Title: Matisse and his Model at the Villa D'Alésia
- Artist: Brassaï (French (born Romania), Brașov 1899–1984 Côte d'Azur)
- Date: 1939
- Medium: Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 cm (3 7/8 x 2 11/16 in.)
- Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987
- Object Number: 1987.1100.127
- Rights and Reproduction: © Estate Brassaï Succession – Paris
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Brassaï
1936
Brassaï
1939
Brassaï
1946
Brassaï
1950, printed 1960s
Brassaï
1946
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.