These are part of an exhibition titled Henri Matisse The Master: Works From 1917-1952. Presented by property company Wing Tai Holdings and the Singapore Tyler Print Institute, the exhibition opens at STPI on Thursday and runs till Aug 16.

STPI's head of special projects and development Emi Eu, 39, who was instrumental in putting the show together, says the works will be a surprise to some.

'It will help people see Matisse like never before. When you see some of the prints for the first time, they may look deceptively simple but doing simple is tough,' she says.

The collection, comprising 52 prints, three drawings and one painting, dates back to 1917 and is worth $6.7 million. The prints include 15 nudes, 25 portraits and 12 figures, which belong to the Henri Matisse estate in Paris.

What stands out in the exhibition are 10 lithographs showing dancers in various poses. Through three short and simple strokes, Matisse captures the rapid energy and movement of dance moves.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times Life!