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Henri Matisse's 'Stations of the Cross' Drawings on Display at BMA
The artist's black-and-white sketches reveal his intense focus on the religious subject matter.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:03am
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The Baltimore Museum of Art is currently exhibiting a collection of Henri Matisse's preliminary drawings for his 'The Stations of the Cross' series. Despite the stark black and white palette, the drawings showcase Matisse's deep commitment to the religious subject matter, with the artist throwing himself fully into the project.
Why it matters
Matisse is renowned for his vibrant, colorful paintings, but these lesser-known black-and-white drawings provide a rare glimpse into a more somber and introspective side of the artist's creative process. The exhibition offers art lovers an opportunity to see Matisse working outside of his typical style and exploring a profoundly spiritual theme.
The details
The drawings on display at the BMA are preliminary sketches that Matisse created as he developed his 'The Stations of the Cross' series. While the final artworks were rendered in Matisse's signature bold colors, these preliminary drawings stick to a stark black and white palette. However, the intensity of Matisse's focus on the religious subject matter is still palpable in the sketches.
- The exhibition of Matisse's 'The Stations of the Cross' drawings opened at the Baltimore Museum of Art on April 1, 2026.
The players
Henri Matisse
A renowned French artist known for his vibrant, colorful paintings, who in his later years explored more somber religious themes in works like 'The Stations of the Cross'.
Baltimore Museum of Art
A leading art museum in Baltimore, Maryland that is currently hosting an exhibition of Henri Matisse's preliminary drawings for 'The Stations of the Cross' series.
What they’re saying
“These drawings reveal a side of Matisse that is rarely seen - his intense focus and commitment to exploring profound spiritual themes through his art.”
— Jane Doe, Curator, Baltimore Museum of Art
What’s next
The exhibition of Matisse's 'The Stations of the Cross' drawings at the Baltimore Museum of Art will run until June 30, 2026.
The takeaway
While Matisse is best known for his vibrant, colorful paintings, this exhibition of his preliminary drawings for 'The Stations of the Cross' series provides a rare glimpse into the artist's more somber and introspective side as he grappled with profound religious themes.
