Although the paper cut-out was Matisse's major medium in the final decade of his life, his first recorded use of the technique was in 1919 during the design of decor for the Le chant du rossignol, an opera composed by Igor Stravinsky.
Selvom papir cut-out var Matisses primære medie i det sidste årti af hans liv, var hans første dokumenterede brug af denne teknik allerede i 1919 i indretningsdesignet til Le chant du rossignol, en opera skabt af Igor Stravinsky.