Barely able to paint in old age, Henri Matisse turned to “painting with scissors.” Papiers découpés, or silhouettes, became true masterpieces in his hands, unmistakably reflecting their author in style and color. His 1947 artist’s book Jazz, a highlight of this art, is one of 20th century’s most important artists’ books: twenty illustrations based on silhouettes, juxtaposed with calligraphic lines of text by Matisse in a German translation. German text.