Self-portrait, 1901
La Vie, 1903
Went to see the insanely popular Young Picasso Exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler. Getting through the exhibition was a bit of a challenge. Standing in front of a painting with twenty or thirty other people who are all trying to get a closer look isn't the ideal way of experiencing art, but I feel I got to see everything I went in for. The melancholy, near-spiritual energy seeping out the paintings from his Blue Period was so affecting that it could be felt despite the masses. His work is that powerful!
I was never interested in Picasso until I stood in front of one "in the flesh" at the Kunstmuseum Basel a few years ago, and although I'm a little bit disappointed that I didn't get to experience this exhibition in a more intimate way, I'm mostly grateful for having been able to see so many extraordinary paintings all at once. The exhibition was lovingly put together with great care and a palpable respect for this great artist. I left feeling tired but inspired, and with a better understanding of Picasso.
Nude Against a Red Background, 1906
Flute Player and Nude, 1970