Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
French artist Auguste Matisse (1866-1931) created this evocative scene to advertise the event that would become the first Winter Olympic Games. The competition referred to at the time as “International Winter Sports Week” – the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Congress mandated a name change to "Winter Olympics" in 1925 – was held at the French spa town of Chamonix. Ten cold-weather sports were represented, including bobsledding (as shown by Matisse), figure skating, ice hockey, and alpine and cross country skiing. This beautifully colored illustration by the artist reveals an interpretation that combines patriotism, excitement and athleticism – all within a wondrous, frigid environment. The poster has been professionally linen-backed, and boasts outstanding presentation quality.