This display of 13 prints by Picasso coincided with the major exhibition Picasso: Challenging the Past. It expanded on many of the themes of the major exhibition, particularly his exciting ‘Variations’ after the masters.
The prints which were diplayed contain echoes of much-admired pieces by Manet, David, Rembrandt and Cranach. (Two Rembrandt etchings were included in the exhibition for comparison.) They show Picasso’s extraordinary mastery of all print techniques from the traditional to the experimental.
Picasso had no formal training as a printmaker but began making prints early in life. He would continue to use the print media throughout his career, showing particular zeal in the 1930s and again during the final decade of his life.
