When I walked into the Picasso Sculpture show at MOMA in Manhattan, I made a beeline for this sculpture – a very old friend. The last time we saw each other was 30 years ago at the Picasso Museum in Paris.
And I smiled. Just like I did the first time.
A few words came to mind. Creative. Playful. Clever.
Woman with Outstretched Arts, by Picasso, 1961. Front view. Painted iron and sheet metal.
“Woman with Outstretched Arms”. by Picasso. Back view.
More words popped into my head through the whole show.
Classic. Epic.
“Head of a Warrior” by Picasso, Boisgeloup, 1933. Plaster, metal and wood.
Elegant. Humorous.
“Insect” by Picasso. Ballauris, 1951. Fired white clay, incised and painted with slips.
Whimsical.
“Vase” by Picasso, Vallauris, 1947 or 48. White earthenware painted with slips and oxides.
Beautiful. Stately.
“Bust of a Woman” by Picasso, Boisgeloup, 1931. Plaster.
Poignant.
“Woman with a Baby Carriage” by Picasso. Vallauris, 1950-54. Bronze.
Innovative. Technical prowess – a life-size cast bronze sculpture held up by a jump rope!
“Little Girl Jumping Rope” by Picasso. Vallauris, 1950-54. Bronze.
Creative. Visionary. Who else would see a toy car as a baboon head?
“Baboon and Young” by Picasso. Vallauris, 1951. Bronze.
“Bull” by Picasso. Cannes, 1958. Blockboard (wood base panel), palm frond and various other tree branches, eyebolt, nails and screws)
Simplicity. Essence. Sleek. Modern.
“Little Horse” by Picasso. Valllauris, 1961. Painted metal with wheels.
Other thoughts came to mind. Master of any material. Fearless. Adventuresome. Joyful. Love of Life (as the French say, Joie de Vive). Pure Genius. And what you see here is just the tip of the iceberg since my own taste gravitates towards the later work.
Going to this show made me smile from the inside out. I’m grinning as I write this.
That alone is a good enough reason to see this exhibit. With one more week to go (closes February 7th), the crowds are large. So plan your visit early or late in the day.
And don’t forget to smile for the camera.
