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RosemaryO'Ryan
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 9:46 am: |       |
"Les demoiselles d'Avignon:
There does appear to be some interesting parallels in the subject/ motif of late 19th and early 20th century artists. For example, the above painting by Picasso, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907, based on over 700 preparatory drawings, originally featured the figure of a sailor and a medical student, besides the ubiquitous skull motif of neo-classical schools.
At some point in the process of composition, Picasso suddenly drops these two characters and in the final phase of composition the five prostitutes (supposedly of a brothel) become the central characters in the tableau. Various explanations are offered regarding the subject of this painting, for example, Picasso patronised the notorious barrio chino, or red-light district of Barcelona with his fellow artist friends during the later 1890's and early 1900's.... leading one to ask the question of the time, who was Jack the Ripper?
Why five prostitutes in his painting? Coincidence?
Why the motifs of crucifixion, blood, sun and moon (still-life of fruit)? Note in particular, the facial scarification of the woman with her legs akimbo!
The painting is 'drawn' in a linear, almost cariacaturist manner reminiscent of Toulouse-Lautrec, he also did other pictures about this period, many graphic and often grotesquely humorous depictions of various sex acts...one is a disturbing image of a nude woman on a bed being strangled by a man!
Any comments?
Rosey :-) |
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