Last chance to see… Picasso Giacometti

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Alberto Giacometti, Femme égorgée, 1933

This is your last chance (until Feburary 5) to see a stunning exhibition of mostly sculptures by the two immense artists, Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti, who were born twenty years apart and yet shared a strong friendship which we discover through their exchanges of letters.

Alberto Giacometti, self portrait, Paris, end 1901

When you walk up the majestic stairs of Hotel Salé, you are immediately confronted with “Grande Femme assise” the bronze sculpture Giacometti made in 1958 and it fits so well in the 17 th century decor that you understand how eternal his art is. The large group of “Les Baigneurs” by Picasso in the next room,  has the same eternal quality and seems to revive the stone sculpted walls of the second floor rooms.

Pablo Picasso, Les Baigneurs, Cannes 1956

Shown on two floors of the beautiful Hôtel Salé, built by Pierre Aubert in the mid 17 th century with the money he made while collecting taxes on salt for the King, the works are assembled on different themes, like animals, self portraits, drawings and the influence of non western art.

Pablo Picasso, Chat saisissant un oiseau, Paris, April 22, 1939

Giacometti’s incredible originality always intrigues me while Picasso’s forcefulness rapes one’s imagination. The two cats shown here are a good illustration of their style. They both painted their first masterpiece when they were 14 years old: “La fillette aux pieds nus” , 1895 by Picasso and “Nature morte aux pommes” , 1915, by Giacometti are hanging side by side.

Alberto Giacometti, Le Chat, 1951

The incredible light which enters Musée Picasso through its large windows, increases the beauty of the artwork. A series of photographs of works in progress, a portrait of James Lord in 1964 for Giacometti, the painting of a large fresco for Picasso, are interesting pieces of documentation.

The atmosphere within the museum is warm with many groups of children running around and ladies discussing the themes or the interests of such and such a piece. One can see that these two artists are very popular and immediately accessible to all, and the aristocratic surroundings do not intimidate the crowds.

If you go around 11 am, the queues are not too long. Make sure you buy your ticket on internet beforehand, you will save a lot of time. (5 rue de Thorigny, Paris 3)

Alberto Giacometti, Grande Femme assise, 1958, Fondation Giacometti

And on the way out, I indulged in shopping at Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville (BHV) where the (below) ground floor is a paradise for tools and nails, cleaning potions and lighting delights. What a perfect day!

 

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