Some of the last works of art created by celebrated French artist Henri Matisse are going on display at Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.
The "Drawing with scissors" exhibition is on show from November 29, 2008 until January 4, 2009 and the prints give a brilliant overview of Matisse's late works, including some of his iconic images such as The Snail and Blue Nudes.
Throughout his life Matisse (1869-1954) created vast numbers of vibrantly coloured paintings and prints.
Matisse continued to paint into his eighties while very ill with cancer and, at this time, he started to experiment with the paper cuttings that feature in this exhibition.
Confined to bed by illness, Matisse created most of these works using scissors to cut out the shapes.
Reproduced in colour lithography, the works were created by the artist in gouache paper, cut with scissors and glued.
Under Matisse's direction, the first lithographic plates were prepared during 1954, just a few days before his death. The finished work was completed in 1958 and published in a limited edition artist's book.
Matisse: Drawing with Scissors is a National Touring Exhibition from the Hayward Gallery featuring 35 lithographic prints of Matisse's famous cut-out prints.
Admission to Hereford Museum & Art Gallery is free with access for visitors with disabilities. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am until 5pm. Closed Mondays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
For more information please contact Peter Young, museum design and display officer, (01432) 383 592 or email: plyoung@herefordshire.gov.uk