Matisse in Morocco: The Paintings and Drawings, 1912-1913 (ISBN 0810925273)

Simply gorgeous:
One of the places that most inspired Matisse was Morocco, a country of huge contrasts, vivid colors and dramatic landscapes . I missed the landmark exhibition for which this book served as the catalog, but I purchased it after vacationing in Morocco. Matisse's view of the country emphasizes the colors of Moroccan cities and landscapes -- intense orange-reds and azure bluesz. It is also informed and inspired by Moroccan design, which combines Mediterranean and Islamic elements to beautiful effect.

Tangier hosts a high point of Fauvism:
This is a first quality book published by the National Gallery of Art that documents Henri Matisse's visits to Morocco (mostly Tangier) in 1912-13 where the Fauvist phase of his artistic career fully flowered. While the illustrations of his paintings from these visits are breathtakingly beautiful, the documentation and commentary on Matisse's interactions with compatiot painters like Marquet and Camoin are equally impressive. There are a number of letters between Matisse and his colleagues included in the book that explain in detail the former's reaction of the exotic environment and how it served to tickle his muse. This is a wonderful book that serves as both an illustrated chronicle of a great artist's significant formative period as well as a valuable art history document. The book has 255 well-organized illustrations--50 in color--and includes works by a number of artists who worked in Morocco during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The color plates are of excellent quality.