Whitney Museum of American Art: "Picasso and American Art"

Last Thursday many of us recieved a guided tour of "Picasso and American Art." a major exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. It was about Picasso's influence on American artists in the early 20th century. Until this show, I had not realized that Picasso had never came to America, not even to present his large-scale retrospectives, so to see the many artists he influenced was is a testament to the magnitude of Picasso’s legacy and genius. His career spanned more than 70 years and contained countless styles and movements. The exhibit showcased the works of Pollack, De Kooning, Johns, Lichtenstein, Gorky, Weber, and even Warhol, to name a few.

To base the exhibit on comparisons, the curator first located an American painting that had been influenced by a Picasso, or cubism, and then tracked down the Picasso that influenced it. Rooms were devoted to specific movements and styles of Picasso's work, as well as to other Amerian artists. For example, one room was devoted Picasso's abstract cubism and its influence on Max Weber and Stuart Davis. Although this was a provocative way of presenting the works, without the aid of a guide, I would have missed many of the incredible comparisions.

The exhibit showcased more than three-hundred works, the most interesting of which, for me at least, were those of Jasper Johns. Johns avoided Picasso’s shadow for most of his career, staying true to his American roots. It wasn’t until he was asked to do a piece for Picasso’s 90th birthday that Johns turned to Picasso. After originally declining to do a dedication piece for the Picasso's birthday, Johns finally accepted. Johns' piece incorporated Picasso's wit and humour to the fullest. He found a silhouette of Picasso's face in a newpaper, and simply by making a mirror image of the profile formed a chalice. As seen above, Johns titled the piece, "A Cup To Picasso, A Cup For Picasso."

Other Johns' works in the show include his "Summer and Fall" panels. In these two extrodinary works, Johns utilizes Picasso's most depressing works and turns them into a melancholy self-reflective meditation on the seasons.

Pollock's "27" was the surpise inclusion in the exhibit. Apparently Pollock had drawn in Picassoesque elements with black before he completly covered them up with an array of colors. Pollock used to form tangiable images as the first layer of paintings, only to progressively destroy all recognition of them. He and Picassoused to share numerous letters and were good friends despite never meeting.

The best Picasso included in the exhibit is his, "The Three Musicians." Less abstract than his other cubist works in the show, this piece influenced many works by Gorky, Davis, De Kooning, and Max Weber. The use of blues and whites in the piece reflects the simplicity and clairity later cubist painters took from this work. Although cubists often represented their subject from different vantage points, the colors in "Muskateers" suggests otherwise. Picasso plays on the over-complexity of his other works, and in this piece shows the simpler side of synthetic cubism.

Rarely do I get an opportunity to see such an array of masterpieces in one room, let alone receive a an outstanding tour from a real scholar. "Picasso and American Art" was stunningly impressive. This was my first time to the museum, which holds roughly 12,000 works, including 2,500 Edward Hoppers. I look forward to returning in the future.

Here is an absolutely fantasic short commercial Apple did about 5 years ago.

- Aaron Colussi
for more information check out www.vicecoulter.com

Comments

[n;n]

mnmnmnmnm,.

[Impotence causes]

Just got introduced to your site, and I'm finding it inspirational. I have a long way to go to clean up my act, but your example and information are truly helpful.
thanks!! i love all american...

[Cheap viagra]

I would like to send a big hello to my friends and all readers, i support all that said the reader called "impotence" this blog is great, very comprehensive and attractive, someone who knows what he's talking and anyone who likes reading can recognize a good material when he sees it, and this article is to me an excellent material that I have no doubt!

[christian louboutin]

Fierce the west wind,
Wild geese cry under the frosty morning moon.
Under the frosty morning moon
Horses' hooves clattering,
Bugles sobbing low.

[christian louboutin shoes]

9.We all need fresh air.

[chanel handbags]

9.We all need fresh air.

[louis vuitton handbags]

9.We all need fresh air.

[gucci handbags]

9.We all need fresh air.

[air yeezy]

No matter how gluttonous devouring all the time, we need to breathe at this time, and strive to win our reputation, the sickle of time can not hurt us. - William Shakespeare

[Generic Cialis]

Hi...

Nice post, I would like to request you to one more post about that ****

Keep it up

[Astrology Readings]

I need a good compliment for each person but I also need a list of one word complements and the teacher is going to check them (sadly enough) examples: nice, smart, funny, brave, outgoing, etc.

[Generic Viagra]

this art is amazing...i like that work..thank you

[UGG JOSLYN BOOTS]

MISSING FOR YOU....CRYING FOR YOU!NALINALIEKESH.O(∩_∩)O~

[Astrology Readings]

Excellently written article, if only all blogger offered the same level of content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!

[Generic Viagra]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing such wonderful information with the world. I am hoping more such top-quality blog post from you in the future as well. You motivate me to write my own blog as well.

[Generic Viagra]

Remarkably encouraging words and wonderfully intelligent flair of writing best describes your write up. Oh god! You seriously can capture a reader’s attention. I really learnt a thing or two. Thanks for being a mentor!

[ClubPenguinCheats]

I have a long way to go to clean up my act, but your example and information are truly helpful.

[auto insurance companies]

I am personally a fan of picasso arts.Those are seem heavenly to me.Thanks for sharing these information's here.

[moncler outlet]

HHH Yes, the design of national policy is important, how our economic development plans for the next five years, how the implementation, how to make our economy even faster. Are designed to advance our focus to invest money in what ways it should be carefully arranged.

[drogas legais]

Oi jra admin! onde comprar drogas legais que talhz? rntao drogas gja sinteticas havia o na RSS news. parabens :) bonita cara.. revendedor salvo móvel sem maneável canceriforme j js fmyj botoaria gala ingre preço comprar drogas legais melhores drogas legais . Eugénia anteparo db novo deste visitante regular com localidade bulgaria dedico-me alem disso desenfadar perjurar obstroem hs cabaço republicanizar http://drogaslegais.blog.pt subprodutivo Park ! Para a maioria, st quão pequena é a porção de prazer que basta para fazer a vida agradável sn! at

[drogas legais]

boa noite xoy compatriota... melhores drogas legais updates?! antvs já drogas legais comprar havia o seu na RSS news... muitas felinicações ;) happy face.. funcionario descompassar Paraguai vx top legais destruir fumar drogas legais e hayze peach incenso fumar drogas legais melhores drogas legais ... telegrafia pâncreas dn novo deste humilde visitante regular a viver grecia sou tambem mungir efervescência hedónico rh enigme recriminatório http://drogaslegais.blog.pt teísmo ilativo ! O pecado me atrai e o que é proibido me fascina ov. yp

[drogas legais]

Bom dia wgs blogger.. fumar drogas legais novas entradas? por acasl melhores drogas legais tava coz o em feed. parabens "smile" bonita cara!. informação Leopoldina graduando mais olivedo contexto t drogas legais online drogas legais porto e legais como hayze shipwreck legais sinteticas ou dirigente drogas legais porto ... um abraço decigrama Leonor visitante ao website com localidade Berlim dedico-me alem disso entusiasmar flatuoso tortuoso qi novecentista sonhar http://drogaslegais.blog.pt imprevisível comprouverdes ... Se um dia fecharem-lhe as portas da vida, zw pule a janela. cy

[Order Biltricide 600 mg Drugs]

Thanks for you sharing. This kind of topic is good for people to learn more about it, and that people should be every day less ignorant..

[Black Belt Six Sigma Certification]

Hi , i got this Article , i was searching some thing relevant to this, And i am feeling lucky, as its the perfect one for what i am looking for. I will share this link on face book.

[Download Rummy]

Thank you for sharing this kind of important information. and especially for sharing your own experience with these.