Picasso at The Frick

Portrait of Antoni Sabatés(?)
Barcelona, 1899
Conté crayon and diluted oil paint on paper

i've mentioned it before on this blog that The Frick is one of my favorite museums in NYC. it's hard to get passed what a bastard Henry Clay Frick was. it's especially difficult in the current climate of a recession, occupy wall street happening just downtown and completely being part of the 99% that are fed up w/the shit happening in our government and on wall street. but that's what's so fantastic about this man's collection. knowing more about his evil ways ("once known by his critics as 'the most hated man in America'"), toward railroad workers and unions, it becomes clear but not justifiable, what might have driven his collection. serenity, peace, beauty. he needed it in his home, because he was being so vile to the people that worked under and for him. this is my theory and opinion, not based on nothing but my gut feeling.

i recently checked out a special exhibition of Picasso's drawings that was mainly installed in the lower galleries. i really enjoy looking at drawings. they're more revealing of the artist's intentions and thought process. nothing is refined, just pure, raw work. highlights below.  the images are a bit small - the frick doesn't really have large images of the works on their site.

Mother and Child and Study of Hands
Paris, winter 1904
Black crayon on paper

The Death of Harlequin
Paris, end 1905 / beginning 1906
Gouache over charcoal on cardboard

Yellow Nude
(Study for Les Demoiselles d'Avignon)
Paris, 1907
Watercolor, gouache, and India ink on paper

Standing Nude
Cadaqués, summer 1910
Ink on paper

Composition with a Violin
Paris, 8 December 1912 or later
Pencil, charcoal, and papier collé on Ingres paper

The Cup of Coffee
Paris, spring 1913
Papier collé with charcoal and white chalk

Woman with a Pitcher
Paris, 1919
Pencil over charcoal on paper

Two Women with Hats
Paris, autumn 1921
Pastel on paper