Opening of “The donation of David Douglas Duncan, II”
Since Thursday October 2nd you can enjoy the second of the exhibitions organised with the snapshots that the international photographer David Douglas Duncan, friend of Pablo and Jacqueline Picasso, donated to the museum on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The new proposal counts on a selection of images by this photographer which are a documentary testimony of the Picasso's process of creation.
David Douglas Duncan. Picasso Making a Spanish Platter. La Californie, abril de 1957. . 50 x 60 cm. Gift of David Douglas Duncan, 2013
The selection of photographs alternate with works of our collection: in some cases the photographs showing artworks are displayed alongside the original piece; in others, they are compared and contrasted with pieces inspired by the same subject matter. In this gallery of images you can see some comparisons of works and photographs, such as The Pigeons, paintedin the studio at his home of La Californie and which form part of the series of Las Meninas.
It is also worth highlighting the graphic documentation by Duncan of the process of engraving and printing of the aquatints that illustrate the book Tauromachy or the art of bullfighting by José Delgado, alias Pepe Illo.
David Douglas Duncan. Picasso Working on The Tauromachy. La Californie, 1957. . 50 x 60 cm. Gift of David Douglas Duncan, 2013 | Pablo Picasso. Parade of the bullfighters. Canes, 1957. 20,1 x 30,1 x 0,1 cm. Aportació de l’Ajuntament de Barcelona, 1963. MPB 70.878
According to Malén Gual, conservator of the collection and joint curator of the exhibition, in relation to the thematic continuity of the life and work of Picasso that can be appreciated in the exhibition, she comments: “We can consider the production of Picasso as a combined block. Due to the many changes of rhythm, of orientation, of experiences and of artistic language, many topics from his youth appear and disappear in different stages, especially at the end of his life, when he returns to these motifs that marked his beginnings, such as the cut-outs, the doves, the circus, etc.”
Photography tribute by journalists and the museum to the photographer David Douglas Duncan. Photo: Cristina Martín
For our director and joint curator of the exhibition, Bernardo Laniado-Romero, “Each of the photographs by David Douglas Duncan is a window on the creative and vital world of Pablo Picasso. They host histories and narratives of a reality that until now had been unavailable to us and that is revealed by these privileged documents. This generous donation is very important for the museum and to get to know the artist better. The group of images selected uncover realities around the creative processes of his work, information which helps us to understand Picasso's work and world better."
In the presentation we did on Thursday morning to the press, we invited Consuelo Bautista, professional photographerto give us her vision, as specialist in photography, about the donation. She highlighted the fact that “there isn't a single photo by David Douglas Duncan that isn't planned. [...] In this image, for example, we can appreciate movement and simultaneously, time detained.”
David Douglas Duncan. Dovecot. La Californie, 1957. . 50 x 60 cm. Gift of David Douglas Duncan, 2013
The exhibition is on view until January 11th, 2015 and it can be visited independently or as part of the permanent collection.
Museum’s newsroom
Related links
Website of the exhibition “The Donation of David Douglas Duncan, II”
Website of the exhibition “The Donation of David Douglas Duncan, I”
The Donation of David Douglas Duncan: A little big story
