Picasso: A Cubist Commission in Brooklyn

A new scholarship on a little-known decorative commission undertaken by Pablo Picasso in 1910 offers insight into the artists painting process and the evolution of Cubism. The commission, for American artist Hamilton Easter Field, was never completed but provides new insights into Picasso's art at a critical moment in his development. The book explores how the commission challenged Picasso to adapt Cubist forms to an immersive aesthetic experience and how he used it as a place of experimentation. Published to coincide with Celebration Picasso, the exhibition offers a fascinating portrait of art and patronage in the early twentieth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2023
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 1910, Pablo Picasso embarked on a remarkable artistic journey, creating a series of 11 decorative paintings commissioned for the Brooklyn residence of American artist, collector, and critic Hamilton Easter Field. This groundbreaking publication marks the first in-depth exploration of this unfinished commission, shedding light on a previously unknown chapter in Picasso's artistic evolution. Through extensive research, including letters and archival materials from both Picasso and Field, the authors reveal how this unrealized commission pushed Picasso to transcend the boundaries of easel painting and embrace the revolutionary Cubist forms. They delve into the progression of Cubist ideas, showcasing how Picasso utilized Easter Field's proposal as a platform for experimentation, both subverting and paying homage to traditional decorative painting conventions. This captivating volume, published to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Picasso's passing, offers a captivating glimpse into what could have been, while also providing a fascinating portrait of art and patronage during the early twentieth century.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in collaboration with Yale University Press, is proud to present an exhibition of these remarkable works, scheduled to open on September 12, 2023, and run until January 14, 2024. This exhibition will provide art enthusiasts and scholars with a unique opportunity to witness the artistic brilliance of Pablo Picasso and explore the profound impact of his creative vision on the world of art.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 186 x 237 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781588397683