Rosaire Chapel, Vence
Matisse's final masterpiece
Matisse's Final Masterpiece, this chapel, was built in 1949 and designed in its entirety by Henri Matisse.
He created the chapel as a monument to sacred art in the world and dedicated four years of his life to the design and architecture of the building.
From the stained glass to the ceramics and furniture, the chapel was, he claimed, "the result of my working life. I consider its imperfections as my masterpiece".
The chapel was a request from a young nun named Monique Bourgeois, who had nursed Matisse back to health after he was treated for cancer in 1941.
It has a simple white exterior measuring 15 by six metres, with a roof of blue and white tiles. The brown stone alter was specifically chosen to resemble the colour and texture of bread as a nod to the Eucharist. The stained glass windows in the vibrant shades of yellow (for the sun), green (nature) and blue (sea) reflect the Mediterranean surroundings. Three murals in black and white depict St Dominic, the Virgin and Child and Stations of the Cross and were painted on 12 inch tiles before being fixed to the interior walls.
The small gift shop donates all its profits to the Dominican convent.
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When to come
- Open Monday, Wednesday & Saturday from 14:00 to 17:30
- Open Tuesday & Thursday from 11:30 to 17:30
- Mass at 10:00 on Sundays
- Annual closure from mid-November to mid-December
- Closed on bank holidays
