Bass Trombone Wauchope: Paris Blog 11: Musee Picasso

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Paris Blog 11: Musee Picasso

I wish I could feel the same enthusiasm for Picasso as many others do. Can we at least agree that some of his experiments are not masterpieces. There is something appalling about someone that becomes so famous in his lifetime that he can sell dinner napkins with a few doodles, and make serious money from that. Still, the photos here are at least things I, for the most part, admired and liked, and who am I to judge art greatness? But of course, everyone does!
I believe Picasso holds the record for the highest price ever paid for a painting. So the money has judged, at least. And of course, the money is what counts, doesn't it?
Am I ranting? Is Barbara dis-owning me? At least he lived to see his triumph, unlike so many others. Somewhere it seems that certain governments are taking part of the huge profit some artists posthumously are making and returning it to the artist's estate. And damn well they should.

All of this art was in Picasso's studio when he died, and the city of Paris seized it all for back taxes.
The museum was supposed to close for 2 years for renovation, and it took 10, costing a huge fortune in lost visitors. But the museum is a triumph, a wonderful space, remarkable for it's use of the old building and the new additions. It is certainly well attended now.

All the art is by Picasso except where identified as by others.