Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso

Painting Details

Part of the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection in New York, this artwork portrays five nude female prostitutes within a Barcelona brothel on Carrer d'Avinyó. Each figure challenges conventions, presented with a disconcerting and confrontational demeanor, deviating from traditional femininity. These women exude an almost menacing aura, their bodies depicted with angular and disjointed forms.

The leftmost figure showcases Egyptian or southern Asian influences in facial features and attire, while the adjacent two embody Picasso's Spanish roots in the Iberian style. On the right, the remaining two figures bear African mask-like characteristics. This ethnic primitivism deeply influenced Picasso, inspiring him to forge an entirely unique artistic style characterized by compelling and almost savage intensity.

Picasso's abandonment of perspective and adoption of a flat, two-dimensional canvas in this proto-cubist creation marked a radical departure from conventional European painting. "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is widely regarded as a seminal work in the early evolution of cubism and modern art.

Revolutionary and controversial, this painting incited widespread disagreement, even among Picasso's closest associates. Matisse viewed it with skepticism, indirectly responding to it in his 1908 "Bathers with a Turtle." Georges Braque, initially averse, later delved into the intricacies of this artwork, leading to his collaboration with Picasso and the eventual cubist movement.

The painting's resemblance to other masterpieces, such as Cézanne's "The Bathers," Gauguin's "Oviri," and El Greco's "Opening of the Fifth Seal," has been extensively discussed by subsequent critics.

Upon its first exhibition in 1916, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" faced allegations of immorality. Painted in Picasso's Montmartre studio, it made its public debut at the Salon d'Antin in July 1916, an event organized by poet André Salmon. It was here that Salmon renamed it from Picasso's original choice, "Le Bordel d'Avignon," to its present title, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," in an attempt to reduce its scandalous connotations. Picasso, who always referred to it as "mon bordel" or "Le Bordel d'Avignon," favored the milder name "Las chicas de Avignon" ("The Girls of Avignon").

Pablo Picasso - Artist Profile

Pablo Picasso, born on October 25, 1881, in Málaga, Spain, is universally recognized as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His impact on the art world was so profound that he became synonymous with innovation, breaking free from artistic conventions, and reshaping the very essence of visual expression.

Picasso's artistic journey began early. He displayed extraordinary talent from a young age, receiving formal art training from his father, who was an art teacher. By his teenage years, he had already surpassed his father's abilities, signifying his prodigious talent.

The artist's early works, often characterized by classical and realistic themes, reflect his solid grounding in traditional techniques. However, Picasso was never content with staying within the boundaries of convention. He quickly ventured into new realms, pioneering the development of modern art movements.

One of his most celebrated periods is the "Blue Period," marked by a melancholic and introspective palette dominated by blue and blue-green hues. During this time, Picasso's works delved into themes of poverty, despair, and human suffering, as exemplified by "The Old Guitarist."

Subsequently, the "Rose Period" introduced warmer colors and circus performers as central subjects. However, it was in the early 20th century that Picasso embarked on his most transformative phase, co-founding Cubism alongside Georges Braque. This movement shattered traditional perspective and representation, offering multiple viewpoints in a single frame, as seen in "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon."

Throughout his career, Picasso remained tirelessly innovative, experimenting with various styles and mediums, including sculpture, ceramics, and collage. His later works, often characterized as part of his "Surrealist Period," continued to challenge artistic norms.

Beyond his artistic innovations, Picasso's personal life was equally remarkable. He engaged in influential collaborations with fellow artists and thinkers, such as the poet Guillaume Apollinaire and the photographer Dora Maar. His relationships and personal experiences profoundly influenced his art.

Pablo Picasso's legacy endures not only through his astounding body of work but also through the way he transformed the very concept of art itself. He pushed boundaries, redefined aesthetics, and left an indelible mark on the art world, ensuring that his name will forever be synonymous with creativity and revolution in art. Picasso passed away on April 8, 1973, in Mougins, France, but his artistic legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

All prints are made using archival art stocks and UV pigment inks to give up to 200 years life. Prints are sold unframed and unmounted.