|
Indepth Arts News:
"Picasso: Portrait and Figure"
2001-08-08 until 2001-10-28
Baltimore Museum of Art
Baltimore, MD,
USA
The Baltimore Museum of Art presents Picasso: Portrait and Figure , an exhibition of more than 30 drawings and prints that illustrate Pablo Picassos in-depth study of the human figure and his ability to capture the creative intelligence of his
portrait sitters. The second installation in the new Cone Wing focus exhibition gallery, Picasso: Portrait and
Figure highlights sbme of the most significant works by Picasso in The Cone Collection, including a striking
pen and ink self-portrait, a rare etching of his mistress, Fernande Olivier, and a remarkable gouache
of Leo Stein.
Picassos knowledge of the classical figure is evident in a number of finely rendered pen drawings from
1904-1905, drawn in contour without modeling. Gradually, through his study of Iberian sculpture and the
influence of Cezanne, Picasso began to focus on the figures three-dimensional form, structure, and solidity.
Nowhere is this more evident than in a series of figure drawings in The Cone Collection that literally trace his
investigations step by step, culminating in his break to cubism.
Etta Cone first acquired Picasso prints and drawings in 1905 when Gertrude Stein introduced her to the artist
during a visit to his studio. Until her death in 1949, Etta continued to collect Picassos art, particularly his early
drawings from 1904-1906. Although neither Claribel nor Etta Cone collected Picassos abstract works, his
fragmentation of the figure is illustrated in a major 1907 watercolor, Study for Nude with Drapery, purchased
by Etta late in life.
The Cone Collection, The Baltimore Museum of Arts preeminent holding of post-Impressionist and modern
art, recently reopened to the public after an extensive renovation and expansion of the galleries. In addition to
500 works by Henri Matisse, considered the most important and comprehensive holding in the world, the
collection includes 113 paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, and illustrated books by Pablo Picasso. Two
bronze sculptures by Picasso will be added to the permanent display in the Cone Wing this summer-Mask
and Woman Combing Her Hair. Following this exhibition will be an installation that further explores the depth
of these holdings titled Picassos Classicism (November 14, 2001-February 3, 2002).
Exhibition gallery talks include Picasso: Portrait and Figure on Thursday, September 6, 1 p.m., with Jay
Fisher, BMA Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs and Senior Curator of Prints, Drawings & Photographs, and
Picasso in The Cone Collection on Sunday, September 30, at 2 p.m. Call 410/396-7100 for more
information.
Related Links:
| | 
|
