In the late 1940s, an infirm and increasingly despondent Henri Matisse made repeat journeys along the French Riviera from his hideaway in Vence to Antibes. It was a most peculiar pilgrimage.

Beyeler launched himself into the art market by selling Japanese prints in his shop before transforming it into a gallery in the early 1950s, where Pablo Picasso and Matisse featured prominently.