NEW YORK, NY.- Christie's announces: Henri Matisse: Lines of Connection, an auction of works on paper from The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation. The sale is a trove of artworks by Henri Matisse that have been in the Foundation for decades, coming directly from the collection of his youngest son, celebrated gallerist Pierre Matisse, and his beloved wife and the organization's founder, Tana Matisse. Sale proceeds will be used to fund grants for arts and arts education organizations throughout New York City. With works priced from $800 to $80,000, the sale welcomes all those who admire Matisse to acquire a piece of his legacy.

Alessandra Carnielli, Chief Executive Officer, The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, remarks, “Tana Matisse established the Foundation with a passionate vision to further the great artistic legacy of her family by ensuring that young people have access to the arts regardless of their circumstances. Over more than 20 years, we have been honored to champion arts and arts education organizations throughout New York City, awarding 800 grants totaling more than $50 million. Great art connects us all, empowering communities and changing lives for the better. This auction honors the memory of Tana and Pierre, and will continue our mission of expanding creativity and human connection through the exceptional work of our grant recipients.”

Cyanne Chutkow, Christie's Deputy Chairman, Senior International Specialist, Impressionist and Modern Art, remarks, “This carefully curated selection of over sixty works showcases a remarkable breadth of subject matter—from arabesques, landscapes, and flowers to heads, full figures, and self-portraits. Spanning media including prints, and drawings in ink, charcoal and pencil, the sale offers a sweeping survey of Matisse's finest works on paper. We anticipate collectors will respond enthusiastically.”

Richard Lloyd, Christie's Deputy Chairman, International Head of Department, Prints and Multiples, remarks, “Spending hours in the Foundation's archives, slowly sifting through prints and drawings that came directly from the artist and had slumbered unseen for decades, was a true privilege. Even for those familiar with his work, this immersion was an experience that will live long in the memory. I am sure that everyone who spends time with those we selected will feel an intimate connection to Matisse and his genius, just as we did.”

Pierre Matisse was instrumental in introducing the United States to many of the European masters and establishing the burgeoning modern art movement in America. From a young age, he was surrounded by works by icons including Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, and his father Henri Matisse, giving him an implicit understanding of art's inextricable role in shaping both identity and community. Pierre spent his life preserving, protecting and furthering artistic legacies of a multitude of canonical figures—and simultaneously nurtured the next generation of great artists. According to Alexandra Farkas, Member of The Matisse Foundation Board, “Pierre truly enjoyed talking about art. He had an incredible way of being down to earth and making it feel accessible and approachable, even to young people.”

Like her husband, Tana Matisse held a passionate belief in the power of art and its ability to inspire. Tana cultivated a sophisticated aesthetic sensibility beginning in childhood, living in cities spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Central America due to her father and his esteemed career as a West German Ambassador. Her experiences would come to indelibly influence her understanding of art and the power it held to transcend political and cultural boundaries. Tana's career path led her to a life working in galleries—first in London, and then New York. She found solace in art and a home in the art world, developing many close friendships with artists, gallerists and the entire community. In the 1970s, Tana joined New York's prestigious Pierre Matisse Gallery. Her professional collaboration with Pierre eventually culminated in marriage, and the two remained spouses until Pierre's death. Tana established the Foundation in 1995 and passed away six years later, leaving the Foundation the majority of her estate.

Sale proceeds will be used by the Foundation to fund grants for local arts and arts education organizations. Committed to engaging diverse communities, the program emphasizes accessibility to institutions and art practices as a means to promote identity, creativity and cultural literacy. Since 2003, the Foundation has given more than $50 million in 800 grants that have impacted the lives of children who wouldn't otherwise have access to the tools and opportunities to create art.

Among the numerous recipients are music organizations: UpBeat NYC, a free program for youth in the South Bronx and Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls a music, technology and STEM program empowering girls and gender-expansive youth. Liza Austria, Founder and Co-Executive Director of UpBeat NYC describes the Matisse Foundation as a wonderful partner, “you never have to convince them of the power of the arts—they trust in the hyperlocal, smaller organizations.” LaFrae Sci, Executive Director of Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, remarks about the Foundation's consistency, stating, “The Matisse Foundation looks at themselves in a deep and meaningful way, they've identified how to make an ongoing impact in underserved communities.”

Classical Theatre of Harlem is a grant recipient rooted in performance art, offering theatre-based educational and literary programs, including free summer camp for children from underserved communities. According to Ty Jones, the organization's Producing Artistic Director, “What makes The Matisse Foundation so great is that from a leadership perspective—they actually listen to us.”

The Foundation has extended support to Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling, the cultural heart of Broadway Housing Communities, which addresses the ongoing challenges of deep generational poverty and homelessness in the underserved communities of Upper Manhattan. Miriam Raccah, Executive Director, observes that these grants have created new pathways to learning for the young children they work with. “The Matisse Foundation's support has been instrumental in the children's lives,” she says, “and has allowed them to build understanding, appreciation, and excitement for art, and their own creative spirit, without limits.”