Spiritual Adventure of Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse described the Chapel of the Rosary, the chief labour of his final years, as the 'gathering together' of his lifetime's work. Although widely known as 'Matisse's Chapel', the building's remarkable 'modern' design and decoration emerged from a surprising friendship and artistic engagement with a group of Dominican sisters and brothers keen to see the Church embrace 'Modern Art' and modern artists. With the advantage of hitherto unexplored archive and printed materials this study highlights that mutual encounter and explores how their shared artistic adventure became for Matisse himself an opportunity to express his ‘religious’ vision of art and to rediscover his natal Catholic Faith in its post-war avant-garde form.

Charles Miller, an American by birth, read Classics and received his doctorate in theology from Oxford University. He has taught theology, church history and spirituality in the UK and Russia. Ecumenical interests have shaped his intellectual world and guided his life-long interest in the plastic arts and the theology of beauty. He currently serves in the Diocese of Oxford as Team Rector of the Parish of Abingdon-on-Thames.