Picasso and Surrealism
Beyeler Foundation
June 12 - September 15, 2005
Title: Figure (Femme Assise), 1930
Artist: Pablo Picasso (Spanish 1881-1973)
Medium: Oil on Wood
Dimensions: 66 x 49 cm
© 2005 Succession Picasso / ProLitteris, Zürich
Image Courtesy: Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel
Pablo Picasso was not a Surrealist. How then can an exhibition be organized with a movement in which the featured artist didn't participate?
Surrealists worked under the influence of André Breton. Picasso was a man unto himself. He heavily influenced Surrealists yet
was not a party to the genre. Surrealism is looking into the mind and placing the supposed imagery on canvas. The movement drew from the
philosophies and theories of Sigmund Freud. Among the artists were Dali, Magritte and to some extent Henry Moore.
Surrealism had its heyday nearly a century ago in the Roaring Twenties and Depression Years. Picasso's extensive works during this time
had the feel of Surrealism, exploring the mind's eye without actually working with Breton. A must for most Surrealists.
The exhibit draws from the Beyeler Foundation's collection and is enhanced with works from the Musée Picasso.
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