Upsala Ekeby 4098 “Salix” (24cm)

This April I attended the exhibition entitled Matisse, 1941-1954 at the Grand Palais in Paris. Arranged chronologically, the show takes you from his 40s paintings to his true Modernist breakthrough, that of his work with color and cut-out gouaches. The highlight of this work and the show is undoubtedly his four “Blue Nudes” — marking the first time they have ever been seen together. It was the most remarkable art exhibition I have attended, and a reminder of how exciting and groundbreaking a period Modernism was. There was this tremendous sense of possibility, optimism and life, and these qualities radiate from every single artwork on exhibit. Matisse’s influence during this time period wasn’t limited to France, as we see with this Mari Simmulson “Salix” vase produced from 1953-1956. Using the flowering salix, or willow, as her inspiration, Simmulson broke down the elements of the tree into simple color components of brown, white and yellow, much like Matisse would have. The tapering of the vase from bottom to top is reminiscent of a tree trunk; the gentle bend of the rim is suggestive of a willow branch. It is a piece done at the height of her powers, and one thoroughly in step with the leading artists of the day. Although Matisse died in November 1954, a small part of me hopes he was able to see pieces like this and know how he had changed the world. This is one vase he would have been proud to call his own.