Vintage Matisse 1994

The vintage 1994 Matisse t-shirt is a piece of art-related apparel that became popular in the 1990s. The shirt’s design is inspired by the work of French artist Henri Matisse, specifically his “cut-outs” from the latter part of his career, a technique he turned to when illness prevented him from painting. The imagery of silhouetted figures and starbursts floating in a blue background is a direct homage to his well-known works like The Snail and The Parakeet and the Mermaid, where he used paper cut-outs to create bold, colorful compositions. The shirt, produced by “Ojang Designs,” is not official museum merchandise but rather a commercially-produced item that capitalized on the growing trend of wearable art in the 90s. This piece reflects a cultural moment when fine art transcended its traditional gallery setting and entered the realm of everyday fashion, allowing people to display their appreciation for art in a casual, accessible way.

Size 80×57.5cm
Condition 9.5/10 (Stains)