Four Little Girls and Desire Caught by the Tail

During the German occupation of Paris in the 1940s, Picasso created two plays in French: Desire Caught by the Tail and The Four Little Girls. These surreal compositions were forerunners to the theatre of the absurd of the 1950s, showcasing Picasso's imaginative powers and his exploration of wartime themes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2019
Publisher: Alma Books Ltd

In the vibrant decade of the 1940s, Pablo Picasso delved into the realm of theatrical expression, penning two remarkable plays in French. The first, titled "Desire Caught by the Tail," emerged during the tumultuous period of the German occupation of Paris. Within this captivating work, Picasso brought forth a cast of grotesque allegorical characters, including the Onion, Silence, and Fat Anxiety, who engaged in profound discussions on the pressing wartime themes of hunger, cold, and love. The second play, "The Four Little Girls," emerged a few years after the conclusion of the war on the picturesque French Riviera. Here, Picasso unveiled the stream-of-consciousness thoughts of four unnamed girls in a vibrant vegetable garden, unveiling an unexpectedly sinister aspect of childhood. These surreal compositions, intended to be experienced rather than formally staged, serve as a testament to Picasso's extraordinary imaginative powers. They have been widely regarded as forerunners to the theatrical movement known as the theatre of the absurd, exemplified by renowned artists such as Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, and Antonin Artaud. Through his visionary works, Picasso left an indelible mark on the world of theatre, inspiring generations of artists and audiences alike with his profound exploration of the human condition.

Weight: 124g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847498021