This iconic work was created in1947and forms graphic plate number XI in his world-famous Jazz series. The entire collection was produced using Matisse’s groundbreaking paper-cutting technique, known as gouaches découpées. In his later years, as health limitations made painting increasingly difficult, the artist replaced his brush with scissors, cutting organic and geometric shapes from pre-painted sheets of paper.
The title of the work refers to the famous acrobat family known as The Flying Codonas, although Matisse slightly altered the name to Codomas. Like many of the motifs in his Jazz series, the composition draws inspiration from the world of the circus, variety shows, and movement.
