Becoming Picasso: Paris 1901

Clever exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery focusing on Picasso’s breakthrough year 1901 in Paris when he has his first major exhibition.

The first gallery was of pictures that were in that exhibition mainly following the styles of the period but with his own special spin. The picture descriptions were excellent pointing out influences such as the influence of both Degas and Velazquez on “Dwarf Dancer”. It was interesting to see how many of the pictures from that exhibition are now still in private hands.

The second room looked at the effect of a friend’s suicide had on him and his move towards the Blue Period pictures. I loved the smaller of the two self-portraits which had wonderful loose brush strokes and a brooding expression. I particularly liked the group of pictures of drinkers at café tables brought together from Russia and New York. 

It was great to see Courtauld so busy. They had even had to introduce timed tickets.

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