The National Art Center, Tokyo in Roppongi, Tokyo, will host "Matisse: Free Forms" this autumn 2021. The exhibition runs from Wednesday, September 15, 2021, to Monday, December 13, 2021.

Henri Matisse (1869–1954) was a master of 20th-century art. As a leading figure of Fauvism, he was active in Paris in the early 20th century, known for his bold use of color and distinctive brushwork. In Nice, where he spent the latter half of his life, Matisse was prolific in painting various models and objects in his studio. Concurrently, he explored the technique of "cut-outs," where he would cut colored paper with scissors and paste it onto a surface, creating works composed of flat planes of vibrant color.

The "Matisse: Free Forms" exhibition, opening in autumn 2021, will focus on the cut-outs from the collection of the Musée Matisse in Nice, France, while also showcasing paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, textiles, and objects from Matisse's personal collection. It is exceptionally rare for Matisse's cut-outs to be exhibited together in Japan, offering a precious opportunity to experience his monumental artistic expression.

Among the highlights is the monumental cut-out "Fruites et Fleurs," from the museum's collection, which has undergone restoration in France and will be publicly displayed in Japan for the first time at this exhibition.

The exhibition further delves into Matisse's work on the Chapel of the Rosary in Vence, a project he undertook in his final years and considered the culmination of his artistic life, presenting his supreme artistry from the architecture and interior design to the vestments.