A major new exhibition at the British Museum will feature a stunning collection of around 100 prints by the legendary artist Pablo Picasso, including some rarely displayed works from his famed 347 Suite. This exhibition, Picasso: Printmaker, offers visitors a unique glimpse into Picasso’s creative genius, focusing on his lesser-known but equally influential printmaking work.
Though Picasso is celebrated worldwide for his iconic paintings, he was also a prolific printmaker throughout his career, producing an astonishing 2,400 prints. The British Museum now holds the largest collection of Picasso’s prints in the UK, boasting over 500 pieces, and this exhibition will draw on that extensive collection.
The prints reveal personal and intimate aspects of Picasso’s life and relationships, offering insight into his artistic vision and creativity. The exhibition will chart Picasso’s engagement with printmaking, spanning from his early days in Paris at the turn of the 20th century through to his final years in the 1970s. It will explore his relationships with his wives and lovers and delve into his evolving depictions of love, sex, and human emotion—sometimes tender, sometimes unsettling.
Early Works and the Blue Period
Picasso made his first print at the age of 17 in 1899, but it wasn’t until 1904 that he began seriously experimenting with the medium. The exhibition will open with The Frugal Meal (1904), a striking etching from Picasso’s Blue Period (1901-1904), which marks his early mastery of printmaking. This powerful and emotionally charged work highlights his exploration of poverty, suffering, and human resilience, themes that recur throughout his career.
The Vollard Suite: A Milestone in Printmaking
Visitors will also encounter prints from one of Picasso’s most celebrated series, the Vollard Suite. Produced between 1930 and 1937, this set of 100 etchings illustrates Picasso’s growing technical prowess and his fascination with classical mythology and Greco-Roman art. The famous print Faun Uncovering a Woman (1936) will be among the highlights, showcasing his fluid skill in etching and aquatint, as well as his interest in blending the modern with the mythological.
The 347 Suite: Picasso’s Late Masterpiece
The exhibition culminates with Picasso’s monumental 347 Suite, created in 1968 when he was 86 years old. This extraordinary series of 347 etchings, drypoints, and aquatints was completed in under seven months and serves as a visual diary of his reflections on life, love, and legacy. Despite his advanced age, Picasso’s work from this period is bursting with energy and experimentation, offering a glimpse into his mind as he looked back on his prolific career.
One of the standout pieces from the 347 Suite, Tree in the Storm, with Flight Towards a Church (1968), exemplifies Picasso’s innovative techniques and storytelling prowess. This piece, along with others from the suite, highlights the artist’s ability to push the boundaries of printmaking and explore new creative territories even in his final years.
Picasso’s Printmaking Legacy
Picasso’s printmaking was highly collaborative, and he worked closely with master printers throughout his life. His relationships with these artisans were key to his development in the medium. He experimented with a variety of techniques, from intaglio to lithography and linocuts, constantly learning and pushing the limits of what could be achieved.
Through his relentless experimentation, Picasso revolutionized printmaking, transforming it into a medium of boundless creative potential. This exhibition at the British Museum will underscore the importance of printmaking in Picasso’s long and illustrious career, highlighting his lasting influence on the art form.
Director’s Insight
Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, expressed excitement about showcasing the UK’s most extensive collection of Picasso’s prints. “Many are familiar with Picasso’s paintings, but this exhibition aims to build an appreciation of him as a master printmaker. His life-long experimentation with the medium sparked much of his creativity.”
Thanks to the generosity of Hamish Parker, the British Museum is the only institution in the UK to hold complete sets of Picasso’s Vollard Suite and 347 Suite. “We’re especially thrilled to display more pieces from the 347 Suite than ever before in the UK,” Cullinan said.
Curator’s Reflection
Catherine Daunt, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Prints, emphasized Picasso’s relentless pursuit of innovation. “From the etchings he made in early 1900s Paris to the large-scale linocuts of the 1960s, Picasso continually pushed the boundaries of printmaking. This exhibition explores his journey from 1904 to 1971, concluding with the remarkable explosion of creativity in the 347 Suite at age 86.”
For Picasso, printmaking was more than a technical skill—it was a way to tell stories and develop ideas. Few artists have made such a profound impact on printmaking in the 20th century, and this exhibition highlights his legacy as one of the most creative and influential artists in the medium.
Exhibition Details
Picasso: Printmaker will run from November 7, 2024, to March 30, 2025, in Room 90 of the British Museum. Tickets start at £9 on weekdays and £11 on weekends, with under-16s free when accompanied by an adult. Special offers include 2-for-1 student tickets on Fridays, and concessions are available for groups.
This exhibition promises to provide a rare and enriching opportunity to explore Picasso’s groundbreaking work as a printmaker, offering insights into his personal and artistic life through the medium of print. Don’t miss your chance to witness this extraordinary collection and discover a new side of one of the most famous artists in history.
For more information, visit the British Museum’s Picasso: Printmaker webpage.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.