PICASSO
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was born in Malaga, Spain and spent nearly his entire adult life in France. He was simultaneously a painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer. Some call him the most influential artist of the twentieth century as he pioneered (along with Georges Braque) the fracturing of the two-dimensional picture plane to create the Cubist style, which then influenced nearly every period of art from the mid-twentieth century to today.
The etchings of the Suite Vollard were created by Picasso between 1930 and 1937, a seminal period in his career. The images function almost as entries in a diary, illustrating a galaxy of motifs and preoccupations, including the artist’s desire for his young mistress and muse Marie-Thérèse Walter, his fascination with the process of artistic creation and transformation, the battle of the sexes and the analogy of making art and making love.
The iconic neoclassical series is the culmination of Picasso and Vollard’s collaborations, beginning with hosting Picasso’s debut show in 1901. The extent and quality of the series is unsurpassed and selections of the valued work are in the collections of major museums and selected private hands across the world.
In addition two special linocuts are on view and are among the artist’s most defining work, demonstrating his lifelong ability to engage with virtually any medium and make it his own.