Au Bon Marche (1913) by Pablo Picasso

Au Bon Marche - Pablo Picasso - 1913

Artwork Information

TitleAu Bon Marche
ArtistPablo Picasso
Date1913
Mediumcollage,oil,cardboard
Dimensions23.5 x 31 cm
Art MovementSynthetic Cubism
Current LocationLudwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen, Germany
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About Au Bon Marche

Pablo Picasso’s 1913 painting “Au Bon Marché” is an example of Synthetic Cubism, a style that he pioneered. The medium used in this painting is a combination of collage, oil, and cardboard. One notable feature in this painting is the display card from the Lingerie department at Bon Marché incorporated into the collage.

Picasso was known for his innovative approach to art-making, and his invention of collage was a major contribution to Symbolism and Surrealism. In “Au Bon Marché,” he avoids conventional and expensive art materials typically used in collages. While not displaying overt technical skill in collages, he created significant works that marked a new phase in his career.

Picasso’s neoclassical figurative style later in life became quite famous. He is considered one of the most influential and dominant artists of the first half of the 20th century. Picasso was born into artistic parents and began his career as an artist at age 13. His painting “Guernica” became an icon that raised controversy around the world.

This artwork showcases Picasso’s use of everyday objects found on the streets as inspiration for creating art- a key tenet of Cubism. Its incorporation within mixed media emphasizes its unique relationship with haute couture via Bon Marche’s luxury lingerie department while highlighting his pioneering work with synthetic cubism which evolved during early 1900s modernist movement where established narratives were being rejected as ‘truth’ or ‘reality’.

 

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