The life and the work of iconic French artist Henri Matisse opened exclusively to the Art Gallery of New South Wales over the weekend.

The exhibition contains over 100 works from the Centre Pompidou, Musée National d’Art Moderne.

It is the largest Mattise exhibition to ever come to Sydney

Co-curator Justin Paton told Deborah Knight it’s a huge relief to finally bring the exhibition to Sydney

“It’s the perfect show for the moment,” he said on 6PR Afternoons.

“He’s the master of joy, he’s the master of colour, and someone who endured a few life challenges himself in order to create such beautiful works.

“So getting them out of their crates, after that huge journey around the planet, to Sydney. Pure joy really, for a curator.”

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