AN exhibition showcasing the work of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists is coming to Braintree.

Matisse: Drawing With Scissors will be at the district museum in Manor Street from Saturday, November 10, for two months and will show works by the famous Frenchman from the final four years of his life.

The Hayward Gallery touring exhibition, from the Southbank Centre, features 35 posthumous prints of the famous cut-outs that he produced in the years when he was left bed-ridden before his death in 1954.

It includes iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.

His vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour and his spectacular paper cut-outs were his final triumph.

Matisse continued creating highly original work into his 80s.

For his cut-outs he used paper hand-painted with gouache, which he carved into with scissors.

The colours he used were so strong that he was advised by his doctor to wear dark glasses.

The lithographic reproductions in this exhibition are taken from a special double issue of Verve, a review of art and literature published by Matisse’s friend, the critic and fine art publisher Tériade, in 1958, four years after Matisse’s death.

Claire Willetts, the museum’s collections and exhibitions curator, said: “We are extremely excited to be exhibiting Matisse’s work and looking forward to exploring the distinctive style he developed in the last few years of his life.”

Artworks inspired by Matisse have been created by school children and will be displayed alongside the touring exhibition.

An opening event will take place on November 10 from 2pm until 4pm and the exhibition will run until January 12 next year.

Normal admission fees apply for the opening event and booking is essential on 01376 328868.