The artwork titled “Curtain for the ballet ‘Parade'” was created by Pablo Picasso in 1917. It is a tempera on canvas piece that falls within the Post-Impressionism movement and serves as a design for the theatrical ballet. Currently, this artwork is housed at the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France, where it contributes to the rich tapestry of the institution’s artistic collection.
The artwork presents a bustling and kaleidoscopic scene set against the backdrop of a vividly hued, makeshift stage. The curtain depicts an array of characters that exhibit features of a celebratory, fairground-like environment. Central to the composition is the prominent figure of a horse, accompanied by a smaller foal, while a variety of human figures, some in fanciful and harlequin costumes, are positioned to suggest motion or interaction, evoking the energy of a performance. The use of bold colors and the dynamic arrangement of figures reflect the innovative spirit of the ballet for which the curtain was designed, conveying a sense of playful whimsy mixed with theatrical grandeur.
