Woman with guitar 1911

Curator: Up next we have Pablo Picasso’s “Woman with Guitar” from 1911, a key work from his Analytical Cubism period, primarily rendered in oil paint. Editor: It’s so muted and monochromatic; it’s as though the subject is dissolving into the very fabric of the canvas. It's a bit oppressive, truthfully. Curator: I can see that. Picasso’s delving into form here is revolutionary. Notice how he dismantles the traditional representation of the figure, breaking it down into geometric components. We need to ask, whose form gets subjected to this process? Editor: It challenges the patriarchal gaze in art. Before we might assume, this is how women’s body are interpreted through this art history. Picasso has always shown different perspectives, especially female portraits; is she even an accurate likeness? Are there social contexts regarding perception during this time period? Curator: Exactly. He uses multiple perspectives simultaneously to reveal the complexity of representing a person, especially a woman at a moment of tremendous shift and upheaval within European artistic movements, but also female independence during the period.. But look at the instrument – the guitar is the most decipherable object. Music offers her liberation, doesn’t it? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that, but it rings true. If you approach with consideration for the music of this artwork’s period. But is this really an authentic perspective? What is he not communicating here? We also need to talk about his own positionality and privileges. Curator: The historical positioning is undeniable but I wonder if that is not intentional, for you to ask. How does that impact you emotionally as you experience the work today? Does that make you reconsider how it affected its first audiences as well? Editor: Definitely, understanding the full, socio-historical conditions that frame our readings of the artwork reveals new things with each engagement. That's exciting. Curator: Precisely. A continuing dialogue and how museums help create that conversation about art!