"it would amaze everyone." It has certainly amazed me One of the biggest shocks came soon after I started work on his biography almost 15 years ago when I first visited Matisse's native region and found nobody had ever heard of him the small town on the flatlands of north-eastern France where Matisse grew up He spent the first quarter of his life there and seemed to have made no mark at all whose firm once handled Matisse's father's business affairs from an office still in the same place a little further up the street from the Matisse seedstore who couldn't believe at first that I was serious when I insisted his town had produced its very own great man But my friend Georges Bourgeois knew everyone in Bohain so I asked him to introduce me to the town's oldest inhabitants people in their 70s and 80s whose parents or grandparents must have been Matisse's contemporaries We would tap on their back doors and sit round their kitchen tables drinking powerful little nips of neat spirit These people knew perfectly well who it was that interested me but they seemed strangely reluctant to say anything about him Slowly as I gained their confidence a few of them began to talk They had grown up hearing adults whispering about Matisse - le sot Matisse because he'd failed to take over his father's shop failed again when his parents made him study law and failed worst of all when he finally ran away to Paris to be a painter have you seen his paintings?" one old lady asked me in 1991 "A child could paint better than that where the young Matisse had enrolled in secret without letting his father know the elderly college principal was still so bitterly ashamed of his most famous old boy that he could hardly bring himself to say the name Its director told me she had found it more-or-less abandoned when she took over She said nothing was known or could be found out about Matisse's youth in Bohain These reactions were the last thing I expected This kind of ignorance in the place that had shaped the greatest French painter of the 20th century was hard to credit So was the underlying anger and resentment although it did explain the force that had propelled Matisse southwards which he insisted was the making of him as a painter Once he reached Nice (where he spent the second half of his life) He rarely talked about the ridicule and rejection of his early years save to say that there was no painter in his home town or his region St Quentin and Le Cateau were booming textile towns in his day with no museum or art gallery not even a painted fresco to brighten up their smoky factories and woollen mills What puzzled me was how someone so starved of cultural contact - someone who had almost certainly never seen an oil painting until he was 19 or 20 - could have developed such a powerful imagination How did it survive so long with nothing to sustain it The answer lies at the heart of the exhibition that opens at the Royal Academy next month Matisse's ancestors had been weavers for generations. Textiles were in his blood. He collected them from his beginnings as a poor art student, scraping together minute sums to spend on frayed scraps of tapestry from Parisian junk stalls, to the last years of his life when his studio became a treasure trove of Persian carpets, Arab embroideries, African wall hangings, cushions, curtains, costumes and fabric screens. · Matisse, His Art and His Textiles: The Fabric of Dreams is at the RA, London W1, from March 5 to May 30. Tickets: 020-7300 8000. Hilary Spurling's Matisse the Master. A Life of Henri Matisse, vol 2: 1909-1954 is published by Hamish Hamilton on March 14. Photographer: Brendan Easton A still from Becoming Matisse showing Sophie Matisse It focuses on his early years in the humdrum northern French town Bohain-en-Vermandois and the struggle to achieve recognition in late-19th- and early-20th-century Paris But it is also a portrait of the wider Matisse family—particularly the artist’s wife Amélie And crucial to telling that story is Sophie Matisse Henri and Amélie's great-granddaughter who literally follows her ancestors’ footsteps when Matisse met with familial disapproval critical mockery and establishment scorn and in which the family faced life-threatening illness and society scandal In an interview for The Week in Art Sophie Matisse explains that the role of the wider Matisse family grew as she embarked on the journey the film’s director] approached me with his idea And it was initially that I would be a vehicle for retracing Matisse's steps and being a family member would provide people with a unique sense of connection,” she says for me—maybe this is not how Hugo feels or felt—was something that developed naturally during the film.” Matisse's Studio Under the Eaves (1903) © Succession H Among the places she visits is the Matisse family home at Bohain He returned humiliated and unsuccessful in 1903 after Amélie’s family had been caught up in the scandal involving the fraudster Thérèse Humbert Sophie visits the attic room where a demoralised Matisse painted Studio under the Eaves (1903) now much loved and housed in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge “It was really crazy for me because that happened to be a painting that I hooked on to as a teenager as being one of my favourite paintings,” she says “I never imagined that I'd be in that actual room as she did from Hilary Spurling’s magisterial two-volume Matisse biography I discovered how much her strength was a part of this,” Sophie says “I just was in total awe of this woman.” When Sophie was growing up but when you start to learn about their lives… and how much she gave up herself visceral sense of connection and a desire for her to be acknowledged reaches a climax on the rocks near Collioure in south-west France where she visits the spot where Matisse depicted Amélie in a kimono in the painting La Japonaise: Woman Beside the Water (1905) who was with Matisse in Collioure in that trailblazing summer: the descendants of pioneers who were then out on a limb Matisse's The Woman in a Hat (1905) © Succession H “It was a very emotional moment,” Sophie recalls and to think of Amélie as being one of the major pillars of support for Matisse during that very risky moment That was a very short time where it was either going to be yes or no to him making art for the rest of his life That's how they both felt and I think Matisse was pretty desperate at that moment to have something work—he really had to dig into it his soul and take the risk there's no guarantee he would have had the support to do that he could have just hung it up and decided to just do something else Macgregor’s film dismantles the misrepresentation of Matisse as the decorative painter for the businessman in a “good armchair” a reputation built on an out-of-context quote: "Art should be something like a good armchair in which to rest from physical fatigue." Not only was Matisse's life fraught with personal anxiety but his intense use of colour was radical and shocking in early-20th-century Paris—his portrait of Amélie caused an uproar at the Salon d’Automne that year “What he was driving at [with the armchair quote] was he knew that colours have had an effect on people,” Sophie Matisse says “He was feeling a very visceral effect from the experience of seeing colour And I think he wanted to share this with people and to bring this into people's lives He wanted people to feel the kind of magic that he felt through colour.” Print Reporting from Paris — ‎I’m not sure what inspired Junya Watanabe’s collection shown Saturday morning under the graffiti-covered docks on the Seine But what I thought of when I saw the lyrical parade of collaged shapes and eye-popping colors was Henri Matisse’s paper cut-outs which were celebrated with a recent exhibition at the Tate in London “Matisse: The Cut-Outs,” which has now moved to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City after being diagnosed with cancer and confined to a wheelchair Matisse turned almost exclusively to paper,‎ inaugurating one of the most creative periods of his career it was his heritage (he was descended from generations of textile weavers and he grew up in a historic center of textile production in France Bohain-en-Vermandois) where he learned to cut Matisse described what he accomplished with paper cut-outs -- including such famous works as the monumental “Swimming Pool” -- as “painting with scissors,” and that is certainly what Watanabe did with this collection The look: Models wore space agey-looking plastic helmets as if they were time traveling to the past or maybe the second dimension on a flat piece of paper starting with crude black assemblages of shapes color came into play on plastic fantastic tops and raincoats worn over shorts The surface textures of some pieces became increasingly elaborately folded until out came a sunshine yellow dress made of egg carton-like folds softened and eventually approximated something more conventionally wearable namely striped T-shirts with stiff vinyl half moon-shaped cut-outs over the sleeves and dresses and skirts in jazzy-looking geometric prints If only more people could see Watanabe’s creativity in motion on the runway For the latest in fashion and style news, follow me @Booth1. As Los Angeles Times fashion critic from 2004-15, Booth Moore logged tens of thousands of miles covering the runways from L.A. to Paris and interviewing style leaders such as Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford and Donatella Versace. Entertainment & Arts Lifestyle Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map The five monuments of cycling can also be followed by amateur athletes in special cyclosportives and events Alpecin Cycling has compiled them for the 2024 season: 2024 – tentativeStart-Finish: Milan Sanremo/ItalyRoute: approx The “Primavera” amateur event is more than 50 years old Hobby athletes also need a long breath for the approximately 300-kilometer ride from the capital of Lombardy across the Piedmont plain down to the Ligurian coast The many consecutive climbs on the final 50 kilometers including well-known names like Capo Berta and of course the Cipressa shortly before the end of the race While the professionals start in front of Milan Cathedral the hobby athletes set off on the long journey in a suburb outside Milan – Pieve Emanuele the date of the event at the beginning of June is chosen so that snow and cold can be completely ruled out more info 2024Start-Finish: Oudenaarde- Oudenaarde/Belgium Oudenaarde-Antwerp/ all Belgium (217 km)Routes: 75 km Anyone who wants to experience what it feels like for the pros at the “Ronde van Vlaanderen” to bolt over the cobbles because at the famous and race-deciding climbs Oude Kwaremont there are also an incredible number of spectators at the everyone’s race the pros are cheered on at the “Ronde” just one day later you can choose from four different routes: 75 Because at the famous and race-deciding climbs Oude Kwaremont Anyone who also wants to ride over the famous Muur van Geraardsbergen – it’s worth it – must sign up for the 177 or 242-kilometer route For the participants of the long-distance route there is an early morning shuttle bus from Oudenaarde to the Belgian port city on race day more info Busigny–Roubaix/France (170 km)Routes: 70 km Even suffering and pain-tolerant hobby athletes can venture into the “Hell of the North” One day before the professional peloton and just a few hours before the women they have the chance at the 12th edition of this everyone’s event to “iron” over 54 kilometers of the toughest cobblestones and 19 sectors Those who want to minimize the vibrations on the Paves with the sonorous names like Forest of Arenberg or Carrefour de l’Abre should either drive on the right or left at the edge of the road or in the middle of the road – on the dam everyone is allowed to do an honorary lap in the famous velodrome in Roubaix at the end must hurry and reach the velodrome by 4 p.m. as shortly afterwards the winner of the professional women’s race arrives more info Bohain En Vermandois-Roubaix (210 km)/ all FranceRoutes: 70 km Great fun for comparatively little money awaits the participants at Paris Roubaix Cyclo there are usually pleasant temperatures when the local cycling club VC Roubaix organizes its own Hell of the North here almost two months after the professional race All three have the finish in the velodrome in Roubaix and the shower in the legendary catacombs in common; a pleasure that participants in the official “Challenge” do not get more info 2024Start-Finish: Ans – Liège/BelgiumRoutes: 66 km/1292 hm Those who want to ride the oldest classic in its everyone’s version do not have to decide months in advance to start short-term decision-makers can still register on site and tackle one of the three routes The ultimate challenge is to ride the same route as the pros at “La Doyenne” That would then be 257 kilometers and a good dozen so-called Côtes – the majestic name of the short Among them are well-sounding names like Côte de La Roche-aux-Faucons and of course the Côte de La Redoute But the other two routes (66 km and 142 km) also offer plenty of opportunities to experience and feel the fascination and hardness of the “Ardennes roller coaster” with its legendary climbs more info 2024Start-Finish: Cantù/ItalyRoute: 109 kilometers / 1700 altitude meters “Madonna del Ghisallo” and “Muro di Surmano” the eyes of cycling connoisseurs and fans light up and they know what it’s all about – the Tour of Lombardy It is a pilgrimage on wheels – for professionals and hobby athletes alike The race of the “falling leaves” is not only the last of the five monuments in cycling An enthusiastic knowledgeable audience that cheers on the pros; a grandiose scenic backdrop but just as imposing is the everyone’s version of the Tour of Lombardy hobby athletes can hit the road at the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia and pay their respects to the cycling pilgrimage site Although the route passes the lovely Lake Como several times – but the detours up to the Madonna del Ghisallo and the Muro di Surmano let even well-trained hobby athletes feel why this race belongs to the monuments of cycling Steep ramps with up to 27 percent gradient are not uncommon more info Cylcosportive Events 2025: The Most Beautiful Marathons in the Alps Ride like a pro: Tour de France Gran Fondos 2024 Gravel-Worldchampionships 2024: Qualifyings for Hobby Cyclists Events 2024: Cyclosportives with 300 and more Kilometers The five monuments of cycling can also be ridden by hobby athletes in special amateur races and events Please find below an overview Alpecin Cycling created for the 2022 season: Date: 5 June 2022Start-finish: Milan-Sanremo/ItalyDistance: approx The “Primavera” amateur event celebrates its 52nd anniversary in 2022 Long staying power will also be required from amateur athletes tackling the approximately 300-kilometre long ride from the capital of Lombardy across the Piedmont plain and the Turchino Pass down to the Ligurian coast On the final 50 kilometres an array of climbs including illustrious names such as Capo Berta the Cipressa shortly before the end of the race awaits the riders and will soak any energy left out of the athletes’ legs What sounds like a picturesque setting starts quite dull While the professionals start in front of Milan’s cathedral amateur athletes set off on their long journey in a suburb just outside Milan – Pieve Emanuele But the event date at the beginning of June at least makes sure there won’t be neither snow nor cold more info Date: 2 April 2022Start-finish: Oudenaarde-Oudenaarde/Belgium Oudenaarde-Antwerp/all Belgium (217 km)Distances: 72 km This amateur race is a must if you want to experience first-hand what it feels like for the pros to ride the “Ronde van Vlaanderen” with its Kasseien because also at the amateur race a huge crowd of spectators will be cheering on amateur athletes at the famous and race-deciding climbs Oude Kwaremont Koppenberg and Paterberg – only one day before the pro riders are cheered on at their “Ronde” you can choose from four different distances: 72 The famous Muur van Geraardsbergen – which is definitely worth riding – is only part of the 177- and the 217-kilometre course the finish in Oudenaarde is quite unspectacular Only one day after amateur athletes completed their race pros will go on the course for the “Ronde” The longest distance is the only one that starts in Antwerp there will be a shuttle bus for participants from Oudenaarde to the Belgian port city early in the morning on race day more info Date: 16 April 2022Start/Finish: Roubaix-Roubaix/France Busigny-Roubaix/France (172 km)Distances: 70 km Amateur athletes who are willing to suffer and tolerate some pain are given the chance to ride the “Hell of the North” One day before the pro race and only a few hours before the women’s race hobby cyclists will be given the opportunity to ride over 54 kilometres of hardest cobblestone and 19 sectors at the 12th edition of this amateur event Those who want to minimise the vibrations on the pave sections with illustrious names like Forest of Arenberg or Carrefour de l’Abre are recommended to either ride on the right or left side of the road or in the middle of the lane – on the raise The reward for the suffering will be a lap of honour in the famous velodrome in Roubaix at the end which is the only one that starts in Busigny as the winner of the professional women’s race will arrive shortly afterwards more info Date: 5 June 2022Start/Finish: Roubaix-Roubaix (70 km) Bohain En Vermandois-Roubaix (210 km)/all FranceDistances: 70 km Participants of Paris-Roubaix Cyclo get big fun for rather little money On top of that temperatures are usually quite pleasant when about two months after the pros’ Hell of the North the local cycling club VC Roubaix organises their own edition There are three distances to choose from with 11 All three will finish in the Roubaix velodrome where participants can take a shower in the legendary catacombs; a bonus that participants in the official “Challenge” do not get to enjoy more info Date: 23 April 2022Start-finish: Ans-Liège/BelgiumDistances: 66 km/1292 vertical metres (vm) If you want to ride the amateur version of the oldest cycling classic you don’t need to register months in advance late entries for one of the three course options are offered The ultimate challenge is to ride the same course as the pros at “La Doyenne” 257 kilometres and a good dozen so-called Côtes – the majestic name of the short Among them are illustrious names like Côte de La Roche-aux-Faucons and But also the other routes (66 km and 142 km) offer plenty of opportunities to experience the fascination and toughness of the “roller coaster of the Ardennes” with its legendary climbs more info Date: October 2022Start-finish: Cantù/ItalyDistance: 109 kilometres/1700 vm “Madonna del Ghisallo” and “Muro di Surmano” are names that make eyes of cycling entusiasts light up and leave only one option which race this could be about – the Tour of Lombardy It is a pilgrimage on wheels – for professionals and amateur athletes alike The race of the “falling leaves” is not only the last of the five cycling monuments but also an extremely attractive event featuring an enthusiastic crowd with lots of cycling experience that is cheering on the pros; a very scenic setting The professional race will take place for the 115th time on 8 October 2022 is the amateur version of the Tour of Lombardy amateur athletes tackle the course at the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia and pay their respects to the cycling pilgrimage site Although the course passes by the lovely Lake Como several times the detours up to Madonna del Ghisallo and Muro di Sormano make even well-trained amateur athletes feel why this race is one of the monuments of cycling Steep ramps with gradients of up to 27 percent are not uncommon more info Events 2024: The five cycling monuments for amateurs and hobby cyclists muddy sugar beet fields of northern France and made him one of the best loved artists of the 20th century A dazzle of the fabrics he collected all his life from scraps bought from Parisian flea markets when he was a student to North African embroidered wall hangings and haute couture gowns collected in the 30s has gone on display in London - for the first time alongside the paintings they inspired He called them "my noble rags" and the curator described the collection of fabrics he took everywhere draping them over furniture or hanging them on walls every time he moved into a new flat or studio as "a portable travelling tool kit" The fabrics are instantly identifiable in many paintings: a luscious length of French silk woven with brilliant coloured posies of flowers which resurfaces in Tangier as the table cloth in a still life Picasso bought; elaborately embroidered African wall hangings that form the background of the "odalisque" paintings of languid exotically costumed women; and a length of blue floral print which has been worn to rags in the service of art He spotted the cream French cotton/linen table cloth and used it in a string of paintings over the next 30 years sometimes barely visible in the background The paintings and drawings are loans from private collections and museums including the Hermitage which owns a whole gallery of Matisse works incorporating brilliantly patterned fabrics originally bought from the artist by a collector who also happened to be a textile merchant sadly frayed and with several careful darns survived in the Matisse family archives and is in the exhibition "There was no great mystery in finding the fabrics," Hilary Spurling who has just completed the second volume of her epic biography of the artist "Nobody had thought to display them together with the paintings before but as soon as the family was asked they came pouring out of chests and dressing-up boxes." said Matisse had an excellent eye all his life for textiles of any kind: apart from his noble rags he regularly bought lengths of suit or dress fabric as presents for his family Although he is mortified to have lost most of the notes the artist sent him - "you know as a boy of 13 or 14 one has different ideas of what is important" - he does still have a jacket made from one such gift Ms Spurling believes textiles directly inspired his use of colour Matisse was brought up in the textile town of Bohain-en-Vermandois and the curators believe he did no oil paintings before the age of 19 or 20 But the town's weavers were famous for outrageous colour and pattern: sample albums sizzle with silks in hot pinks and purples "This was a place where everything was pretty dull where the streams from the dye works would literally run pink or scarlet - that's what trained his eye in colour," Ms Spurling said