Pablo Picasso was a renowned Spanish artist and sculptor, and one of the most recognized figures of the 20th century. As one of the founders of an art movement called Cubism, he left a very rich legacy that inspired many. Although much has been said and written on the topic of Pablo Picasso’s life and work, he still interests the general public and art experts and often is a subject of art-related newspaper and magazine articles, TV programs, or even other artworks.
In his article The Minotaur and the Muse: Picasso’s Carmen Fixation, Alan Riding turns his attention to the subject of Pablo Picasso and the sources of his inspiration that Picasso found in women. The article was published in May 2007 in The New York Times newspaper and reflects never-fading interest in Picasso’s life and works, as well as the fact that new aspects and angles of his art are continuously found and brought to the light.
The article focuses on the relationship of Pablo Picasso with his female muses, both real and fictional. While he had a very rich and diverse personal life, many mistresses were married twice and had four children, Picasso often turned his attention to the imaginary female characters.
It seems very natural that Picasso, born in Spain, at some point of his career grew to employ the themes and motifs inspired by Carmen – one of the richest Spanish characters in world literature. His imaginary relationship with this passionate and provocative woman found their reflection not only in the portrait entitled Carmen that he painted early in his career, but also in some of Picasso’s finest portraits (such as the portrait of Benedetta Canals, 1905).
Additionally, the animal passions embedded into the world-famous image of Carmen also were depicted in Picasso’s works, namely in many of the paintings of Spanish bullfights, and the theme of Carmen is present elsewhere in Picasso’s works through his expression of love, rebellion, and freedom.
Picasso lived through times of great changes: World War I and World War II, the Spanish Civil War, as well as other important political, cultural, and national events. Even though he had a very exuberant nature, he remained a pacifist throughout the events that were raging in Europe and the world (Beck, Sebartes, 1955). However, his ideas of liberty, freedom, rebellion were presented in his paintings, in many ways inspired by the theme of Carmen and his fiery Spanish blood.
The intricate intertwining of art and literature presented by Picasso is a striking product of his genius self and the political and cultural environment that he lived in.
Many of Picasso’s reflections and ideas created in times of great change are still relevant, and many could relate to his artworks as our society is contemplating over the difficult times through which we are passing.
References
Alan Riding. The Minotaur and the Muse: Picasso’s Carmen Fixation. The New York Times. Web.
Boeck, Wilhelm, and Jaime Sabartés. Picasso. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1955.