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Matisse’s ‘Goldfish and Palette’ (above) and Picasso’s ‘Harlequin’ (below) hand side by side in the exhibit
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The
works of two of the greatest 20th century artists are being shown together in
New York City at the Museum of Modern Art in an exhibition entitled Matisse
Picasso, which began its tour at the Tate museum in London in May 2002.
The
much-awaited arrival was joined in this, its final leg, by Picasso’s most
famous painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907), which was too fragile to
travel to London or Paris. Sadly, Les Demoiselles’ counterpart,
Matisse’s Bathers with a Turtle (1908) was itself unable to make the journey
to New York to be hung in comparison with Les Demoiselles. Fortunately,
however, both Matisse’s Goldfish and Palette and Picasso’s Harlequin were
able to make it to the exhibit to be hung side-by-side awaiting observation in
relation to one another. It is such examples of comparison and distinction
that compose the bulk of the exhibition and set the stage for debate over the
nature of the artistic rivalry between the two giants.
‘Psychodrama’
is the buzzword being used to describe this exhibition and it seems to
accurately fit the tenuous relationship between two artists who were both know
to be geniuses although of two very different personalities. According to the
official website of Matisse Picasso, the exhibit “seeks to chart the
relationship between Matisse and Picasso.”
The
exhibition choreographs 135 works of art together into pairs or small groupings
in order to illustrate curatorial insights. The critics reactions to these
such groupings has been mixed. Some have found the exhibit to demonstrate
insightful comparisons between the works of the two greatest artists of the 20th
centaury, illustrating paths of inspiration and influence between the two
artists as well as aiding in revelations about the myth of solitary genius.
Many other critics disagree with the relevance and potency that such pairings
suggest, labeling them as contrived.
Matisse
once said, “Only one person has the right to criticize me, that is Picasso.”
This quote, found in many reviews of the exhibition illustrates the nature of
Matisse and Picasso’s relationship and stands as evidence of the mutual
respect they had for one another.
French
artist Henri Matisse and Spanish artist and Pablo Picasso followed one
another’s careers from a distance with a keen eye throughout the early 20th
century. Although they both came to their work with differing aesthetic
and ideological sensibilities, they spurred one another in innovation through
their intense and sometimes antagonistic relationship, which invariably put both
artists at the top of the European and international art scenes.
The
works of Picasso and Matisse differ greatly in their subject matter and style.
Picasso, being twelve years Matisse’s junior, is known best for his invention
of Cubism, a style in which objects and most often figures are broken apart into
geometric planes allowing for all three dimensions to be seen at once.
Filled with raw emotion and energy, Picasso’s work is seen as confrontational,
depicting subject matter that is often aesthetically challenging or politically
charged, such as his 1937 piece, Guernica, a reaction to the Spanish Civil War.
Matisse on the other hand, the leader of the Fauvist movement, was a master of
color who believed that artwork should offer a place of comfort to the viewer.
One
critic has said the exhibition presents Picasso at his tamest and Matisse at his
most edgy, noting that the “selection of works is so premise- driven that the
objects risk becoming simple-minded illustrations for the shows argument.”
Another critic has condemned the show as curated by a “maddening-one-from-column-A-one-from-column-B mentality.”
Despite
extensive criticism of the exhibition, however, many other viewers and critics
have praised Matisse Picasso for its sheer magnitude as it depicts the nearly
100 year old ‘psychodrama’ on a grand scale. The rivalry
continues and despite curatorial posturing the title of “best artist of the
20th century” is still up for grabs.
Matisse
Picasso runs through May 19 at the Museum of Modern Art in Queens, 33rd Street
at Queens Blvd. Long Island City, N.Y. USA (212) 708 9400 or www.moma.org.
