"Themes and Variations" is a set of offset Lithographs complted by Matisse between 1941 and 1943.

Each print is referenced with a letter and number, the letter denotes the "theme" and the number the "variation" of that theme. So for example A1, A2 and A3 would be the same arrangement of still life or muse drawn from different angles.

950 editions of "Themes and Variations" were produced, the first 30 of which were signed in pencil. The prints in our collection are from suite number 300, which are signed in the plate. Please see the tirage below.





















Offset printing is a widely used printing technique where the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the lithographic process, which is based on the repulsion of oil and water. The image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a film of water, keeping the non-printing areas ink-free.