By DARLA MCCAMMON

Lakeland Art Association

WARSAW — Are artists eccentric on purpose?  Studies have shown that we are likely to be much more adoring of artwork when we discover the artist has a fascinating background and personal life. Do some artists capitalize on this to bring attention and money and fame to their work?  You can be the judge.

Pablo Picasso made cubism famous.  Not only was his work recognizable, it often matched his erratic and scandalous personal life.  Known as a womanizer, Picasso was not discerning about his female companions when it came to age. His political views would have sunk many other ships but he sailed through life as an outspoken communist, winning the Stalin Peace Prize for his atrocious views about a type of governing that was anything but peaceful.

Picasso was a friend of Leon Trotsky—who had been exiled by Stalin—yet he was able to walk this fence between these two adversaries and even obtained the commission to paint a portrait of the Russian leader, Stalin.

Born in Spain in 1881 to a father who made a living as a curator and professor of art, Picasso, was baptized with words that were twenty names long! The last name in that series was Picasso, the one that stuck with him through life.  Also sticking with him was training in art from his father who was a respected realist who painted subjects like birds and wildlife.  The young Picasso developed a skill and dexterity and became advanced in art with a passion that pushed aside his regular studies.

Picasso despaired when he lost a younger sister to diphtheria and the family moved to Barcelona then sent Picasso to an art academy in Madrid. In 1900 he went to Paris where he went through poverty and sad times including the suicide of a friend. His work was marked by several periods including a “blue” period.

In a fortunate turn, Leo and Gertrude Stein, American art collectors became interested in his work.  They promoted him and added his work to their own collection.  Other positive relationships developed during this time including a long friendship with Henri Matisse.  By 1909 Picasso was well into developing several types of Cubism for which he remains most famous.  He was first in using collage (pasting shapes cut from paper) in fine art pieces.  At one time he did a portrait of Gertrude Stein.  Picasso was told she did not look like his representation.  Without a pause, Picasso snapped back, “She will.”

Many secret affairs, marriages, and developing fame affected Picasso.  He fathered a number of children, some of whom he chose to recognize, others were shunned. He lived through World War I and remained in Paris during World War II.  He was pestered by the Gestapo but fearlessly dealt with them.

A famous 50-foot sculpture we can visit was donated to the city of Chicago by Picasso.  He died in 1973, in many ways an enigma, but one of the most prolific artists in history.  His paintings have been the target of thieves and several of his paintings are ranked as the most expensive in the world

Upcoming and Current Events: 

• Paul Ramain exhibit at Warsaw City Hall. Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Admission.
• Also coming soon to Lakeland Art, an artisan’s fair at the fairgrounds. Stay tuned for information.

For more information on topics in this column, please contact Darla McCammon at [email protected] or 574-527-4044. Older columns at www.darlamc.com