A SKIP ACROSS TO LONDON


And that’s what it is ! A skip. Into the Eurostar and less than three hours later you are in London from Paris of course.

It was the first time in 16 months that I had been over alone for an exhibition. Strangely I was a little nervous about what I had planned as two major exhibitions in a day and not museums which are close together could prove to be a bit much. NONSENSE. The old energy was there and so was discovery. 

I arrived in London at 10-35am,local time). Left my case at the baggage office and off to the underground. At 11 I had arrived at the Tate Britain. First on the list was «Picasso and Modern Art» It was the day after the exhibition had opened. No queues although there were quite enough people inside.

I cross borders for a Picasso exhibition. This was already the second in less than two months. The Stein collection could be described as the third.  Picasso remains the 20th century most important artist and he certainly changed the face of modern art.

This exhibition - a first of its kind - explores his extraordinary influence on British art. Something I don’t think too many of us are knowledgeable about. I certainly wasn’t. It brings together over 150 artworks and more than 60 stunning Picasso. That is was amazes me about his work. I have probably seen more than 20 exhibitions dedicated to Picasso not to mention museums where we can see his work. Once again there were only three or four paintings that I had previously seen. When will I run out learning about Picasso?

«The Weeping Woman» (1937) which I have seen in books
 
The Weeping Woman



The Frugal Meal 1909


 a reminder of his early days when he was a struggling artist.
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Then of course there is the discovery of many English Artists - 7 of his British admirers and there we explore the incredible impact Picasso had on their work. I am only naming a few as they are artists I am «close» to. Henry Moore, 
Picasso - The Source 1921




Reclining Figure - Henry Moore


Crucifixion 1933
Francis Bacon

And of course, another favorite, David Hockney
The Old Guitarist 1976



As far as I can gather, Hockney has always been fascinated by Picasso and for that matter still is. 

I don't know if it has happened to you, but I have looked at a painting from a little way off and said to myself "oh another new Picasso?" and then I discover it is quite another painter one of which I must mention. 


I knew virtually nothing about. Graham Sutherland.
Green Tree Form 1940




When I came into the room displaying both Picasso and Sutherland, from a little way off I thought it was one of Picasso's bulls and then of course, closer up, it was something quite else. Tree forms - I am not so sure if it was that for me.So many of the paintings in that room were "Picasso related". However, when you see A Picasso close by, then you cannot be mistaken. Rather like Braque and Picasso. I like Braque and his cubist period very much. Today though I can tell who is who.


By the time I left at 1-30 my head was a whirl. A heavy - very heavy catalogue was in my bag and I knew there was - is - a lot more to learn. But then, I hope I never stop learning.

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