Top 10 Facts about Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Picasso

A sketch by Pablo Picasso – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Picasso

Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is a very important piece of artwork in the history of art.

It is attributed to the talented Pablo Picasso who significantly shifted the direction and progress of art.

Picasso made way for other artists including impressionists in expressing themselves through their art.

Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is among the popular artworks hat defined modernist and cubism movements.

Other great artworks that defined the renaissance period is the Mona Lisa, the Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh defined impressionism.

This painting was influenced and inspired by other art cultures and artists that worked closely with Picasso.

Here are 10 important facts about this piece, illustrating why it is important in the tenets of modern art.

1. The painting was first published in an article in 1910

This famous painting was not shown to the public until 1916.

It was however published in the wild men of Paris magazine in an article by Frank Gelett Burgess.

The article was also published by American monthly magazine Architectural Record in May 1910.

It is credited with introducing the United States to French modern art.

Picasso finished the painting in 1907 and kept it in his studio until 1916, the painting is 8 feet long and 7 feet wide.

During the public unveiling, the guest list was invite-only. They included Picasso’s close circle of friends and art dealers.

2. Henri Matisse highly criticized this painting

A portrait of Matisse By Carl Van Vechten – Wikimedia

During the unveiling of the painting, most of Picasso’s friends were bemused and unhappy with it.

They failed to understand his inspiration and compared it to eating old rope.

Despite their shock, they remained supportive of his work. There was however one critic that could not let it rest.

Henri Matisse was Picasso’s rival for years as each wanted to be known for modern art.

Matisse believed that Les Demoiselles d’Avignon undermined and mocked modern art.

He was especially not pleased with its controversial subject and perspective.

Interestingly, Matisse is believed to have borrowed aspects of this painting on his famous work Bathers with a Turtle.

3. Picasso went against tradition with Les Demoiselles d’Avignon

Picasso did not follow tradition when it came to his paintings. In this art piece, he used primitive art to depict his subjects.

The concept he used was compared to the mythological nymphs of Le bonheur. Art critics often remark that the two are shocking.

Through Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Picasso revealed an emotion that had repercussions.

This was seen through the reactions of artists like Matisse who said Picasso was limited in bringing out aesthetic pleasure.

4. Picasso included African art in the painting

By Pablo Picasso – Wikimedia

The initial plan for this painting was to depict a brothel scene with prostitutes and their customers.

Picasso made changes to the initial plan as he progressed with the work. The final image was in an abstract form with intertwining shapes.

It formed the basis of the new cubism form. Art critics believe that Picasso was inspired by African art.

Picasso had been studying African art forms which can be reflected on the women wearing African ceremonial masks.

5. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon was to be donated to the Louvre Museum

After making its debut in 1916, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon did not leave Picasso’s studio in Paris.

He later sold the painting to fashion designer Jacques Doucet in 1924.

Doucet on the other hand hoped to donate Les Demoiselles d’Avignon to the Louvre Museum.

However, after he passed away in 1929, the art was sold to private collectors as specified in his last will and testament.

In 1937, New York City’s Museum of Modern Art bought the painting for $24,000. this has remained to be its home since.

6. This art piece took several sketches and months of preparation

A sketch by Pablo Picasso – Wikimedia

Picasso prepared over six months for the final creation of Les Demoiselles.

He made hundreds of sketches, drawings and paintings. This was the most comprehensive preparatory work done by any artist.

It took Picasso 9 months to complete the painting which is 8 feet tall and 7 feet wide.

The results show Picasso’s passion and prodigy.  Some critics argued that the painting was a reaction to Henri Matisse, his long-time rival, Le bonheur de Vivre and Blue Nude.

The final painting is rendered in oil but a pencil and watercolours were also used.

7. Other styles inspired the painting

While the figures in Les Demoiselles d’Avignon appear appealingly cohesive in early sketches, the final painting blends several different styles.

There is evidence of changes made during the planning process. The subjects in the painting are made up of angular and geometric forms.

There is also the portrayal of mask-like faces by the crouching figures.

It is clear that Picasso used so many different styles in this painting. Many believe that this was because he was transitioning between styles.

There is the use of asymmetrical balance, complementary colours and the use of organic and geometric shapes.

8. This painting was initially known as Le Bordel d’Avignon

Picasso referred to this painting as Le Bordel d’Avignon but André Salmon who had originally labelled the work, retitled it Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.

Andre did this to diminish its scandalous impact on the public, however, Picasso never liked the title.

Picasso preferred las chicas de Avignon but Andre’s title stuck.

9. The initial painting featured men

A sketch by Pablo Picasso – Wikimedia

The earliest sketches of this panting featured two men inside the brothel. They were a sailor and a medical student.

A table was included in the painting to replace them. Picasso did this so as not to detract the narrative of the scene.

10. The women in the painting are close but not connected

There are five women in the painting who are over seven feet tall. A glance at the painting shows them being present.

Picasso used colour on their skin that made them appear naked. They have been grouped but do not appear to be together.

These women sit with no expression yet appear provocative. Critics believe that the painting is a depiction of Picasso’s experience with women.