The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.
“Picasso in Warmer Climes: Works on Canvas, Clay, and Paper” is on display at the Norton Museum of Art through Aug. 28.
This exhibition features an array of art forms from Pablo Picasso, each piece touching on a theme specific to his time in the south of France, for the most part during summer and spring. “Picasso in Warmer Climes” includes magnificent paintings, prints and ceramics.
Picasso, a Spanish artist whose innate skill was nurtured by his father, also a painter, is regarded as one of the most influential artists of his time. He contributed to the development of constructed sculptures, cubism and collages.
Picasso is often thought of in terms of periods. His blue period, from 1901 to 1904, portrays frowning subjects among blue tones; one of his most famous works, “The Old Guitarist” from 1903, is from the blue period. His rose period, from 1904 to 1906, added circus characters to many of the portraits he painted and switched to tones of orange and pink. His career also included an African period and periods focused on cubism and surrealism.
“Picasso in Warmer Climes” features works from a time when Picasso took an interest in themes relating to life in the countryside. The artist felt that it was only while he was in the south of France that he drew inspiration from such topics. Picasso lived in France for the majority of his adulthood, eventually settling down for his final 12 years in Mougins in the south. Even earlier, however, Picasso would travel to the region to create works in the countryside with subjects such as fauns, bulls and other animals that surrounded him, as well as colorful structures and landscapes.
The works at the Norton include “Bust of a Faun,” “Visage (Face)” and “Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe” (“The Luncheon on the Grass”) from 1946, 1955 and 1962, respectively.
The Norton was founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton and Elizabeth Calhoun Norton as the first art museum of its kind in South Florida. In addition to exhibitions, the Norton provides public tours, the Norton Art+ augmented reality app, a sculpture garden, a restaurant overlooking the garden and a carefully curated store for all ages. The museum puts on many events throughout the year to spark community involvement and love for art. For more information on events, visit norton.org/programs/upcoming-programs-and-events.
“Picasso in Warmer Climes” is one of several current exhibitions at the Norton. Others include “Years of Glass: The Norton Collection 1982-2022” and “Summer Silk: Qing Dynasty Robes and Signs of the Season,” both featured until Sept. 4, and “Dürer, Rembrandt and Picasso: Three Masters of the Print,” through Sept. 11.
Access to the Norton is $18 for general admission, $15 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for students, and free for children under 12 and museum members. The Norton Museum of Art is at 1450 S. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach.
