Picasso and the Camera. The exhibition explores how Picasso used photography not only as a source of inspiration, but as an integral part of his studio practice. Spanning 60 years, this show provides an unprecedented survey.
Curated by John Richardson
Gagosian Gallery, in partnership with Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, is pleased to present “Picasso and the
Camera,” the fifth in a series of major Picasso surveys, following “Mosqueteros” (2009), “Picasso:
The Mediterranean Years (1945–1962)” (2010), “Picasso and Marie-Thérèse: L’amour fou” (2011),
and “Picasso and Françoise Gilot: Paris-Vallauris 1943–1953” (2012). Curated by Picasso
biographer John Richardson, assisted by Gagosian directors Valentina Castellani and Michael
Cary, the exhibition explores how Picasso used photography not only as a source of inspiration,
but as an integral part of his studio practice.
Spanning sixty years, this show, which includes many
photographs taken by Picasso but never before seen or published, as well as related paintings,
drawings, sculptures, prints, and films, will provide an unprecedented survey of his unique
relationship with the camera. David Korins, acclaimed scenic and production designer for stage
and screen, has transformed the 21st Street gallery with an innovative exhibition design that
seamlessly incorporates the vast array of archival materials with Picasso's own works in a variety
of media.
The most famous visual artist of the 20th century, Picasso was also the most photographed. His
striking features became an icon of his own time, recognized the world over. Yet this phenomenon
was not a mere by-product of celebrity; his own practice set the precedent. Picasso engaged with
photography and photographers in myriad ways, starting from his early days in Paris and
continuing through the last years of his life.
He used the camera to capture life in the studio and at
home, to try out new ideas, to study his works and document their creation, and to shape his own
image as an artist at work. He collaborated with Brassaï, his celebrated mistress Dora Maar and
Andre Villers to create wholly original works, filmed home movies of his family and friends, and
worked with filmmakers such as Luciano Emmer and Henri-Georges Clouzot to capture his
creative process.
His life and work were documented by photographers as diverse as Jean
Cocteau, Cecil Beaton, Man Ray, Lee Miller, Edward Quinn, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Lucien
Clergue, Michel Sima, and Arnold Newman.
The resulting body of photographs and films, filled with
fact, invention and myth, is vital to an understanding of Picasso’s achievements across his entire
artistic output. As Picasso said to one of his favorite photographers Brassaï, “...I want to leave as
complete a record as possible for posterity.”
Press Enquiries
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Contact: Deirdre Maher E. deirdre@bluemedium.com - Andy Ptaschinski E. andy@bluemedium.com
Opening reception: Tuesday, October 28th, from 6:00 to 8:00pm
Gagosian Gallery
522 West 21st
New York, NY 10011
Gallery Hours:
Tue–Sat: 10:00am–6:00pm