Research - Picasso

Picasso

1881 - 1983

Self Portrait (left)

The Genius of the Century - his work is unparalleled in both quality and quantity. Unlike music there can be no child prodigies in painting, however at 14 whilst at the Barcelona School of Art, he was producing work better than senior students completing their final exam projects.

Still Life with Steer's Skull

(right) In this image the table and the window are very dark and it has a feeling of barren bleakness - but this leads your eye more directly to the skull. Perhaps at this time Picasso had very little food and therefore was not able to fill his table with fruit, wine and bread. But for me it shows hopelessness. He, like me, might have despaired for the times in which he lived and this image suits that mood.

Studio with Plaster Head

(left) This is a table top study set in Picasso's studio - it shows introspection and a passion for the things he loves. In his studio he was able to exert his power and passion and this shows in this composition.

Still Life with Chair Caning

(right) The background and foreground are indistinguishable from each other. We seem to be viewing the subject through a shattered mirror. They show shards of the image on different planes. Geometry and shape are strong but we are left confused about the actual image.

Still Life with Pitcher and Apples

(left) We are on a level with the items we can tell what each item is - there is no Picasso trickery here but we are puzzled about the saucer on the top of the pitcher We need the dark patch at the bottom of the image to make sure we understand the items are on a table top.

Bread and Fruit Dish on a Table

(right) This image follows the early cubist principles. The objects are scattered thinly between the edge of the table and the curtain. The cut edge of the bread corresponds to the semi-circle of the table. All these objects are everyday items but they have one element in common they obey geometrical principles. Picasso is following Cezanne's demand for simplified forms but it gives him the opportunity to show space - the organisation of space in the picture is not uniform on one central perspective but each object is looked at from a different angle. We are looking at the bowl of fruit from above but not the bottom of the cup.

Still Life with Basket of Fruit

(left) As cubism takes hold we see items which seem indistinct and foreign to us at first - we are seeing the object from many sides but on only one plane - the canvas. Perspective is being played with and blown apart.

Still Life on a Pedestal Table

(right) The perspectives are messed up again and we don't know what we are looking at but this is not dissimilar to Still Life with Pitcher and Apples (above).