Picasso and Modern British Art

One Hundred Years On offers an in-depth exploration of Pablo Picasso's legendary 1917 journey to Rome and Naples, a pivotal moment in the artist’s life and career. This richly illustrated book delves into the significance of this trip, during which Picasso traveled with a remarkable entourage that included the poet Jean Cocteau, composer Igor Stravinsky, and the iconic Ballets Russes company led by Sergei Diaghilev. This journey was not only a turning point in Picasso's personal life—marking the beginning of his relationship with Olga Khokhlova, the Ballets Russes' leading dancer and his future first wife—but also a critical period for the evolution of his artistic style in the postwar years.

Picasso's time in Italy with this extraordinary group of artists and performers had a profound impact on his work, inspiring a series of innovations that would define his artistic production during and after World War I. The monograph examines the weeks Picasso spent in Rome and Naples, highlighting how the cultural and visual experiences of Italy influenced his artistic vision. These experiences were instrumental in Picasso's exploration of new genres and techniques, from the playful and decorative collages created during the war to the sophisticated realism that characterized his later works.

The book offers a detailed account of Picasso’s involvement with the Ballets Russes, focusing on his contributions to the productions of Parade and Pulcinella, two ballets that showcased his ability to merge different art forms. Parade, with its innovative use of avant-garde elements, and Pulcinella, which drew on traditional Italian commedia dell'arte, were both groundbreaking in their fusion of dance, music, and visual art. Picasso's designs for these ballets, including sets and costumes, are explored in depth, illustrating how these projects allowed him to experiment with new artistic languages and iconography.

One of the book’s key themes is Picasso’s ability to navigate and blend various artistic genres. During his Italian journey, Picasso was exposed to a rich tapestry of cultural influences that would leave a lasting imprint on his work. The monograph traces his evolution from the still-life paintings and portraits that he produced before the war to the more complex, multifaceted works that emerged from his collaborations with the Ballets Russes. Picasso's art during this period reflects a dialogue between the classical and the modern, the traditional and the avant-garde, resulting in a body of work that is both deeply rooted in history and strikingly innovative.

The influence of Italy’s artistic heritage on Picasso is a central focus of the book. The journey to Rome and Naples introduced Picasso to the grandeur of Italian art and architecture, as well as to the vibrant street life and popular culture of Naples. These experiences inspired a new visual vocabulary in his work, particularly in his treatment of space, form, and color. The book examines how the iconography of Italian art, from the Renaissance to the Baroque, informed Picasso’s approach to composition and subject matter in the years following the trip.

The monograph also explores the personal dimension of Picasso's Italian journey, particularly his relationship with Olga Khokhlova. The love affair that blossomed during this trip had a profound impact on Picasso's life and work. Olga, who became his muse and later his wife, inspired some of the most intimate and emotionally charged portraits of his career. The book offers insights into how their relationship influenced Picasso's artistic direction, especially in his depictions of the human figure and his exploration of themes related to love, family, and domestic life.

In addition to documenting Picasso’s artistic evolution, the book provides a broader cultural and historical context for his Italian journey. The early 20th century was a period of immense social and political upheaval, and the book situates Picasso’s work within the wider currents of postwar Europe. The Ballets Russes, with its fusion of Russian and Western European artistic traditions, represented a new cultural synthesis that resonated with Picasso's own artistic ambitions. The book explores how this collaboration with Diaghilev’s company influenced Picasso’s thinking about the role of art in society and his desire to bridge the gap between high art and popular culture.

The monograph includes a rich selection of visual materials, from Picasso’s sketches and paintings to photographs and archival documents, that bring to life the atmosphere of the Italian journey and its impact on his work. These images, coupled with insightful essays by art historians and critics, offer a comprehensive view of a crucial moment in Picasso’s career. The book not only highlights Picasso’s artistic achievements but also reveals the depth of his engagement with the cultural and intellectual movements of his time.

One Hundred Years On is an essential read for anyone interested in Picasso’s life and work, as well as for those intrigued by the interplay between art, culture, and history in the early 20th century. The book provides a nuanced understanding of how Picasso’s Italian journey shaped his artistic vision, offering new perspectives on his creative process and the influences that drove his work during this transformative period.

In conclusion, this monograph is a celebration of Picasso’s enduring legacy and his ability to continually reinvent himself as an artist. By exploring the significance of his 1917 journey to Italy, the book sheds light on the complex web of influences that shaped one of the most important artists of the 20th century. It is a fitting tribute to a period that not only changed Picasso’s life but also left an indelible mark on the history of modern art.