The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts opens a fascinating new art display on November 11th, 2023. Titled “Picasso on Paper: The Artist as Printmaker”, the exhibition will feature 62 etchings, lithographs, and linocuts from the world-renowned artist. This is the first major showing of Pablo Picasso’s work at WCMFA since 1972.
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was born in Spain but spent most of his adult life creating works in France. He is considered one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. Picasso was known for co-founding the Cubist Movement which included his paintings with unusual and highly creative perspectives. But the artist was a virtuoso of other mediums too. Picasso’s lifetime artistic output was prodigious and diverse, including works in sculpture, ceramics, and prints.
Picasso’s artistic reputation reached such an astounding level that his painting “Women of Algiers” sold for a record price of $179 million at a 2015 auction.
Picasso on Paper will focus on his printmaking ability, showcasing works from the period between 1923 and 1972. The exhibit pieces were drawn from the collection of Timothy Collins and organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions. The show was made possible by support from Paul and Lotta Mellott and by Visit Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
WCMFA curator Dr. Daniel Fulco is enthusiastic about Picasso on Paper. “This exhibition is a special opportunity to view works from a modern art superstar,” Fulco said. One special part of the exhibit is The Grand Bullfight, a 1949 zinc plate lithograph shown in four different states where Picasso manipulated the finished look of each piece. These works illustrate the Spanish cultural influences of Picasso’s home country as well as his pioneering techniques in the printmaking medium.
The Picasso on Paper exhibition will reside at WCMFA until March 3, 2024. Another exhibition will also be in place for a similar time period, titled: “Childhood Favorites: 100 years of Children’s Book Illustrations”, running from November 25, 2023 to March 17, 2024.
The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1931 and is the area’s premier art venue, showcasing regional, national, and worldwide artists. The museum’s permanent collection features an impressive assembly of nineteenth-century American art along with European Old Masters paintings. This notable artwork is housed in a handsome Beaux-Arts-style building overlooking a scenic lake in Hagerstown’s City Park.
A special preview event will be held on November 9th for art lovers seeking an early look at the Picasso on Paper exhibition. Tickets are $12.50 for museum members and $20 for the general public. Light refreshments will be served during the event from 6-8 pm. Contact the museum (301-739-5727) for more information or email Donna Rastelli (drastelli@wcmfa.org) to reserve advance tickets.
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts: 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown, MD. Learn more online: wcmfa.org.
