Pablo Picasso The Passionate Print
Pablo Picasso The Passionate Print
Picasso’s virtuosity as a printmaker is reflected in this exhibition of works from UMMA’s permanent collection. Picasso, known to be one of the greatest artistic masters of the twentieth century, produced over 2,000 original prints throughout his prolific career. For many artists printmaking may be a secondary interest, but Picasso’s involvement in the graphic arts spanned his entire career. His remarkable ability to move seamlessly from one printmaking technique to another is reflected in the etchings, aquatints, linocuts and lithographs included in the exhibition. In the important work Faun Unveiling a Woman, 1936, part of a series produced for the famous art dealer and critic Ambroise Vollard, Picasso demonstrates an early fascination with and mastery of etching and aquatint. Jacqueline in a Straw Hat, 1962, a colorful abstract portrait of the artist’s second wife Jacqueline Roque, attests to the artist’s ability to utilize the linoleum-cut technique to express his bold artistic vision. Six works on display recently received conservation treatments at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, underscoring the Museum’s commitment to preserving significant works from the collection.
