Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Z is for Zeitgeist: Picasso's Recurring Theme AtoZChallenge

The theme of my 2014 A-to-Z Blog Challenge is BLUES, PUPUS, and REVIEWS.
Monday & Wednesday - REVIEWS: mini-style book reviews 

This brings full circle my A to Z posts which
began with: 
ART: Picasso’s recurring theme - desolation of social outsiders - which answers to his BLUE period extending from 1901 through 1904; 
 
and end with:
 
ZEITGEIST (the general intellectual, moral, and cultural state of an era): where Picasso’s recurring theme - desolation of social outsiders - answers to the spirit of the time, the artistic and intellectual avant garde at the start of the twentieth century. 
 
 

In the book, PICASSO by Jp. A. Calosse, the author addresses the three essentials of Picasso’s ripening style during the second half of 1901. 

1. Predominance of form in composition

2. Sentimental themes

3. Use of monochromatic blue 

Together, these three essentials help me appreciate the artist’s state of mind during a period of time when his genius poured forth onto canvas for the world to view, study, and absorb. 

The writer in me believes Picasso did not consciously create a “BLUE PERIOD” in his life. As a painter, he did what came naturally to him. Would you agree with my conclusion that, rather than use his paintings to editorialize his feelings, he painted to explore his artistic talents?
 
Jp. A. Calosse: Picasso

 

11 comments:

  1. Hi Gail - I don't know enough about Picasso, or for that matter art ... but I do want to come back and read through once again to 'pick up' some of your ideas.

    I saw a talk on tv by an (ex) MP, who is half Spanish, but has a great knowledge on life .. railway journeys are a passion .. and the history -

    anyway the tv programme was on Picasso and Guernica ... the MP's (Michael Portillo)father was the only one of his brothers to flee to Britain and not join up during the Spanish Civil War ... it was very interesting hearing about the art work and the tiny bit of family history ...

    I do have some art books here .. and have visited some of the exhibitions in London .. but need to educate myself a bit more ..

    Cheers and see you around, I hope and expect! .. Hilary

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  2. Thank you for visiting me during the AtoZChallenge, Hilary. It has been an exhilarating experience. Picasso's Guernica, his response to the WWII bombing, was on display at the Prado Museum in Madrid when I visited many years ago. It leaves no doubt of the emotion he poured into his work.
    See you on your blog!
    Happy "May Day is Lei Day" Hawaii.

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  3. Not really familiar w/ Picasso's blue period. But I think artists in general do what they do, w/o consciously deciding or analyzing. It's art. It's touchy and feely, right brained stuff for the most part. Nice to find you via blog hopping today on A-Z. I'm a blogger on Maui.

    Maui Jungalow

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  4. I'd never hazard a guess about what that man thought; I'm not a fan. Thanks for dropping by my blog, and big congrats for not only finishing the A-Z, but doing it in style. I'd never have thought of zeitgeist for Z! Very clever! :)

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  5. I like Picasso's abstracts and have noticed many imitating his style of painting. He made painting look fun. Comgratulation on completing the challenge. http://www.writer-way.blogspot.com

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  6. Congratulations on reaching the end of our A-to-Z Challenge! I've enjoyed reading your posts and am better for it.
    Happy Lei Day! :)
    Mary @ The View from my World

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  7. Ahhhhh, I've found you :)

    Congratulations! WE DID IT!

    Just left you a message on your other blog saying thank you so much for your visits to mine over April xx

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  8. Hi there, thanks for stopping by! I'm so excited to find someplace to learn such new and interesting things outside by box. I'll be back! Congratulations on finishing the Challenge! God bless you, Ronda

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  9. I don't know very much about Picasso, but I was just saying yesterday that it drives me crazy when people analyze writer's work for themes, hidden meanings and such and then claim the author (usually long dead) put those things in intentionally. I'm very much of the belief that 99% of the time those things were subconscious on the part of the writer and only became apparent afterward. I'd be inclined to believe the same is true of artists, so yes, I agree with you.

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  10. Congrats for making it through the challenge!

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  11. Congratulations on a successful AZ! My Z word was the same. I agree with your opinions on Picasso's blue period.

    Hope to read your Reflections post some time soon :)

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