This fall, New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) will present a monumental exhibition devoted to Henri Matisse’s cut-outs. Late in his career, Matisse developed his cut-out technique, which involved cutting organic shapes out of painted sheets of paper and arranging them into lively compositions on his studio’s walls. The process gave Matisse a renewed sense of freedom and he lauded the technique for its immediacy and simplicity, which he believed helped him express his artistic urgencies more completely.

“Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs” will be the largest and most extensive presentation of these unique works. The exhibition will present approximately 100 cut-outs -- borrowed from public and private collections around the world -- alongside a selection of related drawings, prints, illustrated books, stained glass, and textiles.

MoMA’s own Matisse cut-out, “The Swimming Pool,” recently underwent a multi-year conservation effort and will serve as a centerpiece of the exhibition. The cut-out, which was composed specifically for Matisse’s dining room in his apartment in France, was acquired by MoMA in 1975 and has been off view for over 20 years.

“Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs” will be on view at the Museum of Modern Art from October 25, 2014 through February 8, 2015.