Discusses the life and work of French post-impressionist artist Henri Matisse.

An inspiring portrait of one of the world's most loved artists There was once a boy named Henri, whose dreams were full of color even though his hometown was dreary and gray. His parents expected him to learn a trade when he grew up, but being a law clerk bored him, and he continued to dream of a colorful, exciting life, and of being noticed. Then Henri started painting . . . and kept painting and dreaming and working at his craft until he'd become one of the most admired and famous artists in the world. This lyrical, visually rich picture book is more than an excellent biography; at its core, this remarkable book is an encouragement to never give up on your dreams.

This richly illustrated book draws upon Lawrence Gowing's earlier writings on Matisse, including a study described by Albert Elsen as 'one of the finest, most perceptive and inspired essays' on the subject.

Invites young readers to touch twentieth-century paintings, including Matisse's "Goldfish," Grant Wood's "American Gothic," and Chagall's "Birthday." On board pages.

With unprecedented and unrestricted access to his family correspondence, and other new material in private archives, Spurling documents a lifetime of desperation and self-doubt exacerbated by Matisse's attempts to counteract the violence of the 20th century in paintings.

Uses Henri Matisse's cutout collages to introduce contemporary art and movement.