World renowned for his paintings, sculptures, and drawings, Henri Matisse (1869–1954) also embraced the printed book as a means of artistic expression. Between 1912 and his death in 1954, he was engaged in nearly fifty book illustration projects, many produced with his direct involvement in page layout, typography, lettering, ornament, and cover design. He planned these publications with his characteristic vigilance and zeal, seeking a perfect fusion of His versatility, ingenuity, and image and text. highly refined literary sensibilities ensured the success of Jazz and other classics of twentieth- century illustration.