Spotlighting the years during WWII when Henri Matisse and his family defiantly refused to evacuate Nazi-occupied France, this story of art and war illuminates the previously untold history of their roles in the Resistance and the prodigious, revolutionary work the artist produced in the face of fascism, violence, and hate. Why was Nice--Matisse's adopted city-- a relative safe-haven for Jews? How did Matisse react to the persecution of his Jewish friends and associates? Together, these stories paint a vivid picture of resilience—of how art and defiance coexisted under the shadow of war.

Christopher C. Gorham is a lawyer, educator, and acclaimed author of The Confidante (a Goodreads Choice Award finalist in History/Biography) and Matisse at War (Citadel, Sept. 30, 2025). His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Literary Hub, Paper Brigade, and elsewhere. He is a frequent speaker at conferences, literary events, classrooms, and book club gatherings around the country. He lives in Boston, and can be found at ChristopherCGorham.com and on social media @christophercgorham.