Picasso/Dalí, Dalí/Picasso
Picasso Museum, Barcelona
20 March - 28 June 2015
The exhibition examines, for the first time, the relationship between two key figures of twentieth-century art. It challenges conventional historical views of the two artists as isolated, mythical and politically opposed figures, who developed their styles independently. The exhibition contains works by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí (paintings, engravings and sculptures) from over 25 museums of art and private collections from around the world, many of which are only rarely lent out.
There was considerable contact between the two. Picasso supported Dalí during the young artist’s early career and in the 1930s helped organise his trip to America. After the Civil War, Dalí spoke and wrote about Picasso, describing his own works as a homage to him.
Dalí felt great admiration for Picasso but their relationship also involved an element of rivalry. There were a number of critical moments in its development. On his first trip to Paris in spring 1926, Dalí visited Picasso’s studio and viewed the works he was preparing for his next exhibition. On his return, Dalí began work on a major series of paintings that would reflect the impact this artistic encounter had on him.
In 1929 both Dalí and Picasso were exploring the creative and disturbing power of the dreamlike images of surrealism in their works. Between 1930 and 1934 their relationship was tied up with the surrealist movement.
The horrors of the Civil War moved both artists to produce powerful works reflecting theanguish of the human condition. In the 1950s and afterwards the work of both artists began to look to the great art of the past, focusing on its most distinguished exponents, Velázquez in particular.
The consideration of these key points will follow a prologue based on Dalí’s perception of Picasso via his presence in art exhibitions and art criticism in Barcelona. The historical periods we have referred to will determine the structure of the exhibition, offering perspectives from which we can analyse various aspects of the work of these two twentieth-century masters.
Curated by: Juan José Lahuerta (until 2013) and William Jeffett
Organisation and production: Museu Picasso and Dalí Museum, Saint Petersburg, Florida
With the support of the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, Figueres
PICASSO MUSEUM, BARCELONA
MUSEU PICASSO, BARCELONA
Montcada, 15-23 - 08003 Barcelona
