In 1921 3 Musicians was created by Pablo Picasso as a farewell piece to Synthetic cubism.
Cubism itself consists of different points of view, typically created through geometric figures, which are then compiled into one complete painting. Cubism lasted for fifteen years and evolved into three phases of Cubism which Picasso explored; Analytical, Synthetic, and Curvilinear.
Analytical Cubism focused mainly on geometric figures without much depth or substance. The images were continually broken down into rectangular or circular shapes. These paintings, however, lacked any real emotion or expression.
In 1912, there was a shift from Analytical Cubism to Synthetic Cubism. What marked this change was the color and passion which Picasso began including in his artwork. Synthetic Cubism really identified Picasso as a sentimental intellect in the art world. Conceptual views and the alteration of a figure's illustration caused the period to be identified as abstract. Different textures, materials and colors helped to accentuate and define the geometric forms that were featured in Picasso's works of art. 3 Musicians was an essential piece to this period.
The "Three Musicians" is an interpretation of a musical group performing in a small cafe. The figures and background images are composed from a collage of different colors: blue, brown, white, red, black and yellow. This painting is created by large geometric pieces, of what appears to be either paper or fabric, but is actually oil on canvas. These are then compiled into three surprisingly level musicians. The sharp-edged patches of colors and shapes are what help to express an unstable or rapid rhythm from the musician's evident instruments.
The central figure is a Harlequin playing guitar while two other musicians sit faithfully by his side. These other two are believed to be a Pierrot and Monk. The Pierrot is featured on the left side of the painting performing with a saxophone up to his mouth. There is also a dog beneath his feet appearing to be lost within the shadows due to the definition solely in his ears, tail and feet.
There's incongruity in the small detail of the musical notes on the score held by the Monk, who is to the right of the Harlequin.
The Harlequin and a Pierrot are characters in Italian opera, which Picasso often identified with. Picasso repeatedly depicted himself as the Harlequin throughout his work. He identified with the Harlequin's life as an individual destined to live outside mainstream society, and someone who supported himself as an entertainer and performer of magic tricks. The Harlequin's ability to transform whatever he touched with his magic wand was a metaphor for artistic creation with the painter's brush. The Pierrot and Monk were said to be poet friends of Picassos.
It appears that this painting is created by large pieces of either paper or fabric that are then cut and pasted into large geometric shapes, but the painting in fact was entirely done with oil on canvas. The ridged patches of colors and shapes are what cause people to believe that the music being played has an unstable and crooked rhythm.
About The Author Jennifer Arsego is an expert on art for Ownapainting.com.
Ownapainting.com offers 100% hand painted reproductions of famous artwork all for a reasonable prices. Visit Ownapainting.com for more information on Picasso’s 3 Musicians.
» left by Anonymous (277 days 22 hours ago.)
Very helpful. I am painting a reproduction of the Three Musicians for my collage Art History class. After exploring as many art books and sites that I could fine about Pablo Picasso's Synthetic Cubism period, I finally found the information that I needed for how Picasso made the 3 Musicians into a synthetic cubic art piece. Thank you. I picked this Picasso masterpiece because it represented him with his 2 best friends and particularly the painting that the MOMA has on display with the dog. MOMA is my favorite art museum. I was introduced to this wonderful place in a sixth grade field trip. The end of this month I will be going with my Art History Class on a field trip to MOMA. Respond to this comment
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