This time, I would like to talk about the 140th-anniversary exhibition: Picasso, Into the Myth. The protagonist of this exhibition, Pablo Picasso is described as one of the artists of the century. He was born in Spain in 1881. He is also known as a genius painter who represents Cubism. He revolutionized the entire art of the 20th century, changing the course of art history. Picasso released "Ladies of Avignon," the beginning of Cubism, in 1907, after the blue and sentimental, romantic, rose-colored era, a gloomy and lonely style of painting. Picasso left Spain against the Franco regime after the Spanish Civil War in 1936. In 1963, he accepted the opening of the Picasso Museum in Barcelona and donated many of his works.

 As the title suggests, the exhibition "Pablo Picasso" is a large-scale retrospective that shows Picasso's entire life. This exhibition is composed of 110 pieces including oil paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other works that show his life's journey from the 1900s to the 1960s. Also, you can see various genres of paintings, prints, sculptures, and ceramics by the chronicle. As mentioned earlier, the exhibition consists of chronological themes: 1. Paris in Barcelona, Age of Revolution 2. Restoration to Order, Classicalism and Surrealism 3. Bolar Series 4. New Challenges, Pottery Works 5. Picasso and Women 6. War and Peace, and Massacre in Korea 7. The last passion.

 The exhibition held on the first floor of the Hangaram Museum of Art at the Seoul Arts Center from Saturday, May 1, 2021, to Sunday, August 29, 2021. The viewing hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it is closed every Monday. For the individual admission fee, 20,000 won for adults, 13,000 won for teenagers, 11,000 won for children and free admission for children under 36 months. There is a discount plan for senior citizens aged 65 or older, disabled, and national merit. During the exhibition, you can hear a detailed explanation of Picasso's work through an audiobook application called 'Guide On,' charged 3,000 won.

 This painting on the main poster of the exhibition is a portrait of Marie Teres. Sitting comfortably in the chair, Marie Teres puts her right elbow on the chair, her left hand up, and puts her finger on her left cheek. This pose is inspired by the work of French classical painter Angre, whom Picasso admired. The exhibition shows Marie Teres in a young and bright atmosphere in a free and transformed composition away from traditional painting. The background is grayed out to minimize perspective, emphasizing that the focus of the work is on the character. In particular, the background is treated in a straight line, and the characters use many curves to highlight Marie Teres' beauty and femininity. This work gives you a glimpse of Picasso's talent for giving volume to characters without contrasting light and shade.

 I think 'The Canne Coast' is the most impressive work of Picasso's numerous works. The Canne Coast is about Picasso's peaceful life with his last woman, Jacqueline. It was the era of the painting revolution when many artists challenged traditional painting norms in the art world. But Picasso wanted to convey the charm of Canne on the canvas. It was the most memorable work of Picasso because the condensation of palm trees and curves in the front of the work gave me a dynamic, cool, and peaceful feeling.

 Like this, Picasso produced not only paintings but also various genres of works such as prints, sculptures, ceramics, and showed his artistic talents extensively. In addition, despite the gloomy situation of two world wars, Picasso melted peace, reconciliation, and humanity into his work. Although Picasso's name-borrowed exhibition has given him a glimpse of his work, it is the first time that he has gathered in one of the collections of the National Picasso Museum of Paris, France, for the first time in Korea, the exhibition is a rare opportunity to see everything about Picasso's art.

 I think this exhibition is an opportunity to shed light on Picasso's artistry, which marked a new era in art history with a unique way of speaking and expression. In particular, Picasso, one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, is displayed to show how his art techniques, characteristics, and expression styles have changed. In this large-scale retrospective, you will feel as if you are reading his diary through his works. Picasso said, "Drawing is another form of keeping a diary," and tried to express his thoughts through exhibition works with everyday subjects and women and landscapes that attracted him. Finally, I recommend that people who want to enjoy cultural life during the summer vacation watch the 140th-anniversary special exhibition of Picasso.

이예지  leeyeji02@naver.com

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