Giorgio Armani Shares the Story Behind His Prized Matisse

Giorgio Armani talks about a work from another enduring icon that adorns his home in Milan

Man sitting on black staircase, wearing a dark blue sweater, smiling and resting his chin on his hand.
Portrait of Giorgio Armani. Photo: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

“I’m not a collector, and the only work I have is a drawing by Matisse. I’m very fond of it because it was a birthday gift from my friend Eric Clapton. Matisse has always been one of my favorite artists. I find that there’s great harmony, incredible inventiveness, and lightness in his work. I particularly appreciate his philosophical simplicity.”—as told to Jacqueline Terrebonne

Framed minimalist sketch of a face with a gold border, displayed on a reflective black surface.
Giorgio Armani’s Matisse drawing. Fabrizio Nannini

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2018 Winter Issue in the section called In Focus. Subscribe to the magazine.