Renovated Matisse Museum Reopens

The Henri Matisse museum, expected to be a major tourist attraction on the French Riviera, reopened in Nice Friday after six years of renovations.

Housed in a 17th-Century Italian-style villa, the museum contains nearly 600 paintings, drawings, engravings and sculptures by the French artist. A modern wing has been added to house monumental works such as the artist’s “Flowers and Fruit” panel and several bronzes.

Matisse first wintered in Nice in 1917. Attracted by what he called its “brilliant but tender” light, he settled in 1938 near the villa that now houses his works. He died in Nice in 1954 at the age of 87.