THE EYES HAVE IT
by Peabod
While visiting an exhibition of artwork by children, the famous artist Pablo Picasso once commented, “When I was their age I could draw like Raphael, but it has taken me a whole lifetime to learn to draw like them.”
To be sure there are well-known works by Picasso in museums throughout the world, but this is a story about a small Picasso museum that is tucked within the narrow streets of the popular resort village of Lucerne, Switzerland. What makes this permanent collection unique is not the fact that it is housed in a building that is several centuries old, or that it looks out upon the famed Chapel Bridge and the rushing waters of the River Reuss below with the majestic Alps just beyond. No, what makes this museum special is that it is owned by someone who once knew Picasso; someone who once called him a friend; someone who was once the subject of some of his portraits. The result is a unique place alive with the presence of one of the greatest creative minds in the history of art.
When Angela Rosengart was a young girl of 19, her father, who was an art collector, introduced her to his acquaintance, Pablo Picasso. Picasso became instantly infatuated with the girl. An occurrence not uncommon for the master Spanish artist. He requested that Angela sit for him, and upon obtaining permission from her extremely proud father, she posed on three separate occasions. As Angela describes the experience, each time she sat, the intense, hypnotic eyes of Picasso pierced her soul as if “hot arrows were burning her heart.”
Over the years Rosengart met Picasso on 50 or more occasions, and each encounter added a new page to her diary. When her father died she inherited his collection, but the Picasso’s were, of course, the most cherished of the works she possessed. But that was only part of the story.
Shortly after World War II, a well-known photographer for LIFE magazine named David Douglas Duncan mentioned to a mutual friend who knew Picasso that he would like to make the acquaintance of the renowned artist. When Picasso learned of the request, he told Duncan’s friend that the photographer was welcome any time. Sure enough, one day the photographer did indeed knock at Picasso’s door.
When Picasso’s mistress, later to become his wife, Jacqueline answered the door, Duncan, with his cameras still wrapped across his chest, introduced himself and explained the nature of his unexpected visit. Jacqueline excused herself for a moment and went to inform Picasso, who was taking a bath at the time, exactly what was happening. With an uninhibited wave of his hand Picasso smiled at Jacqueline and said, “Tell him to come up.”
Immediately upon his arrival at the scene, Duncan began snapping photographs, and from that initial, and unlikely, serendipitous scenario, the two became lifelong friends. Over the years Duncan amassed a vast collection of black and white portraits that chronicled the personal and artistic life of Pablo Picasso.
Little wonder that Angela Rosengart was motivated to purchase the entire Duncan collection of Picasso photographs, which proudly and poignantly displayed today in her museum; a museum that also features the etchings she posed for at the age of 19, along with the original Picasso paintings she inherited from her father.
The result is more than a mere museum, for here is a venue that embraces the personal warmth, affection and love for greatness that profoundly touched the lives of two people. The Picasso Museum in Lucerne is captivating, a gem among the other gems of this favorite tourist destination, yet all too often it is passed by and goes unnoticed.
It’s well worth a visit, if for no other reason than to experience the magical sensations created by three dynamic personalities, Rosengart, Duncan and the incomparable Pablo Picasso. You see, the Picasso Museum in Lucerne, Switzerland is a portrait in genius.
While visiting an exhibition of artwork by children, the famous artist Pablo Picasso once commented, “When I was their age I could draw like Raphael, but it has taken me a whole lifetime to learn to draw like them.”
To be sure there are well-known works by Picasso in museums throughout the world, but this is a story about a small Picasso museum that is tucked within the narrow streets of the popular resort village of Lucerne, Switzerland. What makes this permanent collection unique is not the fact that it is housed in a building that is several centuries old, or that it looks out upon the famed Chapel Bridge and the rushing waters of the River Reuss below with the majestic Alps just beyond. No, what makes this museum special is that it is owned by someone who once knew Picasso; someone who once called him a friend; someone who was once the subject of some of his portraits. The result is a unique place alive with the presence of one of the greatest creative minds in the history of art.
When Angela Rosengart was a young girl of 19, her father, who was an art collector, introduced her to his acquaintance, Pablo Picasso. Picasso became instantly infatuated with the girl. An occurrence not uncommon for the master Spanish artist. He requested that Angela sit for him, and upon obtaining permission from her extremely proud father, she posed on three separate occasions. As Angela describes the experience, each time she sat, the intense, hypnotic eyes of Picasso pierced her soul as if “hot arrows were burning her heart.”
Over the years Rosengart met Picasso on 50 or more occasions, and each encounter added a new page to her diary. When her father died she inherited his collection, but the Picasso’s were, of course, the most cherished of the works she possessed. But that was only part of the story.
Shortly after World War II, a well-known photographer for LIFE magazine named David Douglas Duncan mentioned to a mutual friend who knew Picasso that he would like to make the acquaintance of the renowned artist. When Picasso learned of the request, he told Duncan’s friend that the photographer was welcome any time. Sure enough, one day the photographer did indeed knock at Picasso’s door.
When Picasso’s mistress, later to become his wife, Jacqueline answered the door, Duncan, with his cameras still wrapped across his chest, introduced himself and explained the nature of his unexpected visit. Jacqueline excused herself for a moment and went to inform Picasso, who was taking a bath at the time, exactly what was happening. With an uninhibited wave of his hand Picasso smiled at Jacqueline and said, “Tell him to come up.”
Immediately upon his arrival at the scene, Duncan began snapping photographs, and from that initial, and unlikely, serendipitous scenario, the two became lifelong friends. Over the years Duncan amassed a vast collection of black and white portraits that chronicled the personal and artistic life of Pablo Picasso.
Little wonder that Angela Rosengart was motivated to purchase the entire Duncan collection of Picasso photographs, which proudly and poignantly displayed today in her museum; a museum that also features the etchings she posed for at the age of 19, along with the original Picasso paintings she inherited from her father.
The result is more than a mere museum, for here is a venue that embraces the personal warmth, affection and love for greatness that profoundly touched the lives of two people. The Picasso Museum in Lucerne is captivating, a gem among the other gems of this favorite tourist destination, yet all too often it is passed by and goes unnoticed.
It’s well worth a visit, if for no other reason than to experience the magical sensations created by three dynamic personalities, Rosengart, Duncan and the incomparable Pablo Picasso. You see, the Picasso Museum in Lucerne, Switzerland is a portrait in genius.
No comments:
Post a Comment