Nu Bleu II (Blue Nude II) 1952. Arts Council Collection, DACS

The gallery at the University of Northumbria is showing an exhibition of late works by famed French artist Henri Matisse.

Running until September 16 2006, Matisse: Drawing With Scissors, The Late Works 1950-1954 features lithographic reproductions from a 1958 issue of Verve, an art and literature review.

The cover was from a collage especially cut by Matisse and his first lithographic plates were prepared under his direction in 1954.

Fleurs de Neige (Snow Flowers) 1951. Arts Council Collection, DACS

These works were produced when Matisse was in his eighties and confined to his bed. He made cuts-outs using paper hand painted with gouache and laid in abstract or simple figurative patterns.

“The paper cut-out allows me to draw in the colour,” he explained at the time. “Instead of drawing the outline and putting the colour inside it…I draw straight into the colour.”

It is said that the colours Matisse used were so strong that his doctor actually advised him to wear dark glasses when he was working.

L'escargot (The Snail) 1852-53. Arts Council Collection, DACS

The exhibition gives an overview of Matisse’s late work, including many of his iconic images like The Snail, of which the original is on display at London’s Tate Modern, and The Blue Nudes.

Matisse lived from 1869-1954 and is regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists, and his works typically displayed rich, luminous colours. He is also known as a sculptor and designer.