The Dalí Museum brings never-before-seen Picasso artwork to St Petersburg

Can’t afford a trip to Paris? You can still experience Picasso’s artwork by visiting the Dali Museum, with never before seen art pieces in the U.S. by Pablo Picasso on display. 

From Jan. 29 to May 22, The Dali Museum is showcasing a special exhibit, “Picasso and the Allure of the South.” Featuring ink on paper, portraits, oil on canvas and etching on copper, the 79 art pieces are displayed with descriptions of Picasso’s journey with art. In general, the art pieces had various shapes and colors, like a mosaic, that were used to paint portraits of human figures. A handwritten letter by Picasso is also on display, symbolizing his political stance during the Spanish civil war, which highlighted his disapproval towards the destruction in Spain. 

Pablo Picasso was a great influence and role model of Salvador Dalí, hence the exclusive display of the special exhibit. The Museum is collaborating with the Musée national Picasso-Paris to present the exhibit. 

“The exhibit encompasses an exceptional selection of portraits, still lifes, figural studies and landscapes while incorporating historical photographs that provide candid glimpses of Picasso in his series of studios in the south,” the website states.  

Inside the walls of the exhibit are descriptions and analyses of Picasso’s work. Picasso’s journey with art was ever-changing, beginning with Cubism, with facial features enlarged and outlined boldly, before transitioning to Realism, a more naturalistic style. The exhibit also showcased Surrealism, an avant-garde movement to explore the unconscious, and beyond. The names of Spanish and French cities, such as Barcelona and Céret, were stamped on the floor as they heavily influenced his artistic style as he moved from city to city. One of his greatest influences was the bullfight, or corrida, which he encountered in Spain. 

“For Picasso, the context of the south was life-affirming, but as he aged his work also showed a concern with human mortality, as seen in still life compositions and his fascination with the bullfight, the latter practiced in both France and Spain,” the description at the exhibit states.

Picasso’s work such as Corrida de toros: muerte del torero was created after the 25-year prohibition on female bullfighters was lifted, centering around Juanita Cruz, whilst also metaphorically depicting Picasso’s love affair with Marie-Thérèse Walter. 

Though Picasso’s art was created decades ago, people still resonate with the emotion and message of his pieces.

“It provides a glimpse that people in the past were not so different from the people today,” Jordan Denis, first year in marine science, said. “People still have dreams and special interests. It makes you think of how human everyone has been for decades, hundreds of years, and connects you to the past. It prevents you from forgetting about it or thinking about it as sort of like an archaic or alien time.” 

Many visitors waited in line for a chance to turn a selfie into a Cubist painting. Using computer-generated algorithms, “YOUR PORTRAIT” was a special exhibit in which visitors could step into a booth, take a selfie, then watch it transform into a piece of abstract art.

For students, access to the museum both inspired and motivated them. 

“It’s really an enriching experience,” Sophomore in International Relations Isa Redinger, said. “It’s so cool when we get to see the portraits of the people and realize that the artists were real. I mean, that could be any of us. Somebody could be the next Picasso.” 

Anyone can enjoy the exhibit by purchasing tickets through the Dali website or downloading the free Dali Museum App. Students get $10 off of general admission tickets when presenting their ID. To stay updated with future exhibits, follow the museum’s instagram @dalimuseum.