Picasso & the Weeping Women

Picasso once said that painting, rather than being an aesthetic operation, was a way of "seizing the power by giving from to our terrors as well as our desires." Perhaps in 1937 when most of these weeping women portraits were painted, Picasso was giving form to his feelings about his personal situations and the current political climate. According to Freeman, through these depictions he was examining his emotional responses to Olga Koklova, his estranged first wife; Marie-Therese Walter, who was a young woman of 17 when Picasso approached her on the street, and later bore him a daughter; and Dora Maar, the photographer who was his companion in the years prior to and during the war. On another level this collection makes a political statement - these weeping women represent the anguish of Europeans being propelled into war. It should also be noted that 1937 was the year Picasso painted "Guernica," his response to the Spanish Civil War. Author Freeman was Associate curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art where she organized the exhibit of Picasso's Weeping Women. She has contributed an exemplary text, while over 100 color illustrations bring the artist's work to compelling life. Gail Cooke

Ahhhh, I can't get enough of historical fact coupled with art! Bravo!

In exploring the relationship between Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso I have been absolutely delighted in the information in this text. As well, the works of art and other related details. Thankfully we have this art history text for future generations.