Becoming Matisse/BBC 2

In any art programme the presenter is all. Will he/she let the paintings speak for themselves or will they interpose themselves?

In this programme it soon became obvious that the presenter Sophie Matisse was the latter. She’s the great granddaughter of Henri Matisse, the granddaughter of Pierre Matisse – an art dealer with whom Henri did not have an especially good relationship – as like many an artist he did not care for dealers.

She was in virtually every scene including one where she breaks down in tears with the grandniece of fellow Fauvist Andre Derain on the spot where they painted.

Because the film seemed confined to the early struggling years of Matisse where he was castigated by critic and fellow artist alike, we did not have the full picture of his life: his friendship and influence over Picasso – he presented him with the first cave picture – the love of Japanese prints, to his final masterpiece the Rosalie chapel at Vence.

I felt distinctly unfulfilled.

The programme’s aims were to accentuate the fine role that Matisse’s wife Amelie played in his life and contradict the theory that Matisse was no more than a decorative colourist, but a true rebel.

Those that have studied his life and works knew this anyway. Hilary Spurling, his biographer, provided a more detached view in the programme. Her biography and some of the numerous art books on Matisse would generate a fuller understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary painter.