Picasso/Clergue

Lucien Clergue met Pablo Picasso in 1953 and documented their friendship over three decades, capturing small moments of the artist's everyday habits, studio, and work. The Museu Picasso in Barcelona acquired Clergue's Picasso-related photographic oeuvre in 2016, featuring over 600 black-and-white images in silver prints.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: RM Verlag SL

Pablo Picasso and Lucien Clergue's Friendship: A Three-Decade Journey Through Picasso's Postwar Years
On April 5, 1953, a significant moment in the history of art occurred when the French photographer Lucien Clergue (1934-2014) crossed paths with Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) at a bullfight in Arles. This chance encounter marked the beginning of a friendship that would span three decades and capture the essence of Picasso's postwar years.
Over the next two years, Clergue and Picasso met several times, and their friendship grew stronger. In 1954, they met again in La Californie, Picasso's house in Cannes, where Clergue took numerous portraits of the artist. These portraits, along with Clergue's Polaroid pictures, would become invaluable documents of Picasso's life and work.
Throughout the years, Clergue documented their meetings, capturing small moments of Picasso's everyday habits, his studio, and his work. These photographs, which numbered over 600, were taken in various settings, including Picasso's studio in Paris, his home in the south of France, and his travels around the world.
In 2016, the Museu Picasso in Barcelona acquired Clergue's Picasso-related photographic oeuvre, which included almost 600 black-and-white images in silver prints. This volume, titled "Pablo Picasso and Lucien Clergue: A Friendship Through Photography," features a selection of these photographs, providing a glimpse into the artistic relationship between two of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Clergue's photographs offer a unique perspective on Picasso's life and work. They capture the artist's personality, his creative process, and his interactions with others. Clergue's ability to capture the essence of a moment in time is evident in his photographs, which often reveal the artist's emotions and thoughts.
One of the most notable aspects of Clergue's photographs is his use of light and shadow. He often used natural light to create dramatic effects, highlighting the texture and form of Picasso's paintings. Clergue's photographs also capture the artist's studio, which was a hub of creativity and experimentation.
In addition to his photographs, Clergue also wrote about his experiences with Picasso. In his book "Pablo Picasso: A Life in Pictures," he recounted his encounters with the artist and his observations of his work. Clergue's writing provides a deeper understanding of Picasso's artistic vision and his relationship with Clergue.
Despite the passing of Picasso in 1973, Clergue's photographs continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, and his photographs have been published in numerous books and magazines.
In conclusion, Lucien Clergue's friendship with Pablo Picasso was a remarkable journey through Picasso's postwar years. Clergue's photographs offer a unique perspective on the artist's life and work, capturing his personality, creative process, and interactions with others. His use of light and shadow and his writing provide a deeper understanding of Picasso's artistic vision and his relationship with Clergue. Despite the passing of Picasso, Clergue's photographs continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

Weight: 1040g
Dimension: 286 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788419233127