---
product_id: 402428173
title: "PENGUIN Matisse: The Life"
brand: "hilary spurling"
price: "HK$295"
currency: HKD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 5
url: https://www.desertcart.hk/products/402428173-penguin-matisse-the-life
store_origin: HK
region: Hong Kong
---

# PENGUIN Matisse: The Life

**Brand:** hilary spurling
**Price:** HK$295
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** PENGUIN Matisse: The Life by hilary spurling
- **How much does it cost?** HK$295 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hk](https://www.desertcart.hk/products/402428173-penguin-matisse-the-life)

## Best For

- hilary spurling enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted hilary spurling brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

PENGUIN Matisse: The Life

## Images

![PENGUIN Matisse: The Life - Image 1](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51uyxb+a6IL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Life as Art, Art as Life
  

*by E***N on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 June 2010*

I have never been much of a fan of the biographies of artists-many seem either too superficial and gossipy on the one hand or too focussed on the artworks themselves at the expense of the creator behind them on the other. This splendid book avoids these pitfalls and Hilary Spurling presents the life and work of Matisse as a convincing whole, with life and art interdependent on each other. Spurling has clearly done an enormous amount of primary research and her text has great authority as a result, but her greatest achievement is to condense all of this knowledge into a 550 page account which is coherent, hugely readable and at times even exciting. Spurling is especially good at establishing the importance of Matisse's early years in Northern France and the complex family  relationships which affected both his work and outlook on life. What is also striking is how much of a struggle it was for Matisse to create his memorable images and to win critical acceptance for them. There were to be a great many highs and lows in his long career and the sense that most people failed to understand what he was trying to do never left him. Anyone who wishes to embark on that voyage of understanding will find this book invaluable, peppered with valuable insights into the importance of certain locations to Matisse, his intense working methods and the enormous importance of his relationships with his models in shaping the direction of his art.The book is never dull and brilliantly traces the evolution of one of art's great innovators, making one hungry to look at his work again, which brings me to the one big drawback with this edition: there are far too few illustrations. It is very frustrating to reading the author's perceptive comments on a work only to find no picture to accompany them. Nonetheless, this is a tremendous read which deserves all the plaudits it has received. I think most readers will find this condensed version more than adequate, but the longer 2 volume edition is there for the specialist. For art enthusiasts this is a must,but I recommend this book to those who don't usually read such biographies.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A fascinating insight into Matisse's life and work
  

*by M***R on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2010*

For lovers of Matisse's art, this book provides a remarkable picture of how his art developed over his lifetime and of the human and landscape influences on his work. It is also a joy to read, well explained, and fills a much-needed gap for those not willing to plough through the 1000-plus pages of the 2 volume biography. Highly recommended, and not just for the serious student, but for anyone intrigued by the huge variety of Matisse's work: this book gives a readable account of the artist's background, family life, friends and relations with other artists, plus the huge influence of his move from the North to the South of France along with visits to North Africa.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Five Stars
  

*by A***R on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2018*

Amazingly good value and speedy delivery

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hk/products/402428173-penguin-matisse-the-life](https://www.desertcart.hk/products/402428173-penguin-matisse-the-life)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Hong Kong*
*Store origin: HK*
*Last updated: 2026-02-04*