Picasso and Prints – Two very special exhibition rooms 📷 Málaga – Spain

Printmaking is a technique used by a great many artists, but it begins with the most important element in art: drawing. Nowadays, there are many modern or contemporary artists who no longer draw, but simply paint on canvas or panel. Yet drawing is something that requires technique and a great deal of knowledge, of dimensions, scales, positions and so on, and all of that takes a long time to learn.

That said, of course, it reminds me of all the time I invested, and time well spent, in learning to draw. I’ve never done any printmaking myself, but to put it simply, it’s like a print of a drawing that’s been made first. Many renowned artists have done it, and at various exhibitions I’ve been able to see absolute marvels, masterpieces.

At the Picasso Museum there are so many permanent exhibitions of the painter’s work, but there are often temporary ones too, and I must confess that in the past I missed out on visiting several of them; in particular, I regret not having gone to one that focused solely on the artist’s sculptures. That’s why, on my most recent visits to the museum, which is enormous, I explored every nook and cranny of it.

I believe that an artist’s history shapes them in one way or another, for example, whether their parents were also artists, or their training, or their personal experiences. All of that is reflected in their work; it’s always like that, because art is a form of expression and we artists use it in different ways: music, painting, drawing, singing and many more.

That’s why I found it so interesting that one of the museum’s largest murals depicts Picasso’s story in this way: as a timeline, where I noticed that everyone passing by would stop to read it. There were so many people that I found it very difficult to take photos without anyone appearing in them. I took my time and here they are, for those of you who like to learn about the history of artists.

But I’m also showing you today two small galleries, whose contents are of immense value and deal with very similar themes. One of the galleries is a permanent exhibition showcasing the painter’s history in relation to printmaking, with a wealth of information on the subject.

As you’ll see, the gallery isn’t very large and its walls are painted black, just like the other gallery I’ll show you later. In the centre, there’s a table set up like a display case, showcasing the materials Picasso used to create his engravings. I found this part of his story particularly fascinating. What’s more, as you can see, there’s a wealth of information on the walls.

One of the things I like most about the painter is his creativity, I always say this, perhaps because I identify with him in that respect, though not in his style of painting. But he liked to reinvent the technique and always create something new. Picasso integrated printmaking with drawing and painting. Picasso was a genius when it came to printmaking, as were many other great artists.

Another interesting feature of this room is the explanation of the method or technique known as lithography. It’s explained step by step, which is brilliant for those unfamiliar with the details. Of course, everything in this museum is in Spanish and English. Next to it, there was another explanation of how multi-colour linocut is produced, a technique Picasso used extensively, as well as linocut and woodcut in relief. I loved being able to delve into each of these techniques, whilst marvelling at the sheer depth of this artist’s knowledge.

In the room there were some very interesting photographs of Picasso, such as those showing his relationships with people who collaborated in one way or another on his work and with whom he later formed friendships.

Behind the table you saw earlier, the letterpress or calligraphic press used to print metal engravings or chalcographs was on display. This particular press was the one used to print Picasso’s extensive body of print work.

For those interested in the other techniques the painter used in his works, there were also explanations of how sugar water etching, etching and drypoint were carried out, both of which Picasso also used extensively. In this respect, I was constantly amazed. This room contains invaluable information for artists and art lovers alike.

Finally, on the table, the various tools used to carry out all the techniques mentioned above were displayed in different sections. On that very day, I saw two women discussing the subject right there, talking about how to use those tools; you could tell they were artists, and it was interesting to see how a great artist like Picasso inspires others.

After leaving this room, I came across a much larger one which, in turn, contained a smaller room, also with all the walls painted black. It was a very varied room, featuring mainly works by Picasso, but also audiovisual material displayed on screens that had been set up specifically for that purpose.

And next, I’ll show you many of Picasso’s works that exemplify all the techniques we saw in the previous room.

Being able to see this wealth of prints using different techniques, having learnt a little more about each of them, really enriches our understanding of the subject, because you can see how these techniques are embodied in Picasso’s great works of art.

It’s well worth taking the time to look at and admire each one. Anyone unfamiliar with the subject of artistic technique might regard them as drawings, and in essence they are, as that’s how it all begins, but there’s actually a great deal more work behind them; moreover, not all the works we see here are the same. I must highlight the way they’re displayed, as the white of the support really stands out against the frame and the wall.

One of the things that amazes me most about Picasso is that every time I learn a little more, I discover the sheer volume of art he has produced, as if he had never rested for a single moment in his life. Whether or not we understand this art, and whether or not we like it, his creativity is undeniable.

After viewing all these works, I found myself in a very intimate corridor where, as you can see, the way Picasso’s life and work are exhibited is incredibly original, just as the artist himself was.

It is an installation featuring the complete sequence of double page spreads that make up the deluxe edition of ‘The Unknown Masterpiece’, a novella by Honoré de Balzac, illustrated with 67 woodcuts based on Picasso’s drawings, alongside 16 pages of point and line drawings. Seeing this was absolutely incredible. I can assure you that being there is a truly awe-inspiring experience.

I can tell you that I left the museum, once again in awe and happy to have been able to enjoy Picasso’s work in person. All of this moves me deeply as an artist.

Thank you very much for joining me today; I send you my warmest regards. See you soon.
Amonet.