PICASSO PAINTS PICASSO (TV)
Summary
This documentary looks at Spanish painter Pablo Picasso and his portrayal of himself in his work. Imagery includes Picasso's artwork, photographs of the artist, and some short film clips. Narrator Perry Wolff describes Picasso as "the most documented artist of our time" but explains that many of his works remain an enigma. Wolff describes Picasso's eclectic art and then begins talking about Picasso's career, touching on Picasso's father's aspirations for his son and the painter's early art education. Some of Picasso's productions from art school are shown. Wolff reflects on Picasso's changing signature, his father's death, and his move to Paris. The artist's philosophies on painting are described, including his idea that "painting isn't doing likenesses." Wolff touches on Picasso's early paintings of himself and his statement, "Art is a lie which makes us realize a truth." He continues by discussing the painter's developing style, his portrait of Gertrude Stein, the influence of African art in his work, and his realization that he could get rid of his "demons" by placing them on canvas. A brief analysis of the painting "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is followed by a discussion of Picasso's many mistresses and wives. Next, the program explores Picasso's work with Georges Braque, as well as Picasso's first marriage to Olga Koklova, its failure, and his works reflecting their relationship. Wolff then goes into detail describing Picasso's depictions of the bull and the bullfight and the painter's identification with both. Picasso's debt to various artists, including Diego Velasquez and Leonardo Da Vinci, is described. Wolff then talks about Picasso's four children and artwork he made with them when they were young. A brief description of Picasso's famous work "Guernica" is followed by discussion of the artist's life during World War II and his growth into an international celebrity. Includes a promo.
The acquisition and cataloging of this program were made possible by Agnes Gund and Daniel Shapiro, 2002.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: October 7, 1998 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:56:47
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:70450
- GENRE: Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Art, Modern; Art - Analysis, interpretation, appreciation; Biography; Painting; Picasso, Pablo, 1881-1973
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1998
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Promos - PBS
CREDITS
- Daniel B. Polin … Executive Producer
- Kenneth Mandel … Executive Producer
- Perry Wolff … Producer, Writer
- Séverine Bourlet de la Vallée … Co-Producer
- Perry Wolff … Narrator
- Georges Braque
- Olga Koklova
- Leonardo Da Vinci
- Pablo Picasso
- Gertrude Stein
- Diego Velasquez