From September 5, 2024 to January 6, 2025, Mantua will host an exhibition dedicated to Pablo Picasso, titled “Picasso at Palazzo Te: Poetry and Salvation.” This initiative, curated by Annie Cohen-Solal in collaboration with Johan Popelard, represents a central event in the cultural program for 2024, focusing on the theme of Metamorphosis. The exhibition will explore the connection between the artist and the poem by Ovid that inspired the creation of Palazzo Te between 1525 and 1535.
Exhibition Details
The exhibition is the result of a synergy between the Fondazione Palazzo Te, the Musée national Picasso-Paris, and the artist’s family, featuring approximately 50 emblematic works by Picasso, many of which will be displayed in Italy for the first time. This event is part of a broader agreement that also involves other local cultural institutions. Indeed, from September 20, 2024 to February 2, 2025, the Royal Palace of Milan will host “Picasso the Outsider,” co-produced with Marsilio Arte. Both exhibitions are curated by Annie Cohen-Solal and accompanied by a catalog published by Marsilio Arte.
The Dialogue with Ovid
Within the context of the exhibition, a series of engravings created by Picasso in 1930 is highlighted, four centuries after the creation of the Room of the Giants in Mantua. These works offer a direct dialogue with the Renaissance paintings of the palace and reflect the artist’s interest in the mythological themes addressed in Ovid’s poem. However, beyond mere artistic interaction, a personal narrative also emerges: that of the Spanish emigrant facing the challenges of his identity as a foreigner in France.
The Artist as Outsider
Picasso’s figure is marked by a unique complexity; arriving in France in 1900 without knowing the local language, he was initially perceived as an outsider. His experience as an emigrant profoundly influenced his art and social relationships. Despite being regarded as a pariah by French society for decades, he managed to build a significant network of friendships within the poetic and artistic world.
Annie Cohen-Solal emphasizes the importance of poetry in Picasso’s life: “What sense does it make today to dedicate oneself to poetry…? The answer lies in his fragility as a foreigner…”. Through these words, it is highlighted how poetic art became a means for the artist to express his emotions and transcend the barriers imposed by society.
Accessibility to the Exhibitions
To facilitate access to the two exhibitions dedicated to Pablo Picasso in different Italian cities, a combined ticket system will be available, allowing visitors of the first exhibition in Mantua to access the other show in Milan at a reduced rate.
Italian Version
