Visit to Picasso
Story
‘Visite à Picasso’ is a classic documentary by dir. Paul Haesaerts which features the frequently used footage of Picasso painting on glass while a camera films him from the other side. The trick of filming thru glass allows the viewer to witness Picasso’s true genius as he paints his famous Torros with just a few well-placed brushstrokes. Shot in beautiful black and white in Picasso’s home in Vallauris, the film is a poetic treatment of the master-painter. This captivating film is a must see for anyone interested in art.
Style
Like picasso, this film follows its own rules; Not so much a documentary, “Visit to Picasso is more of a rough portrait of Pablo and tons of great footage of his studio in vallauris accompanied by moody organ music. The absence of a story line is compensated by Frank Silvera factual narration (dubbed English narration by William Patrick), putting Picasso’s art in historical perspective.
Historic interest
Picasso is considered as one of the greatest artists in history. His name is being compared with the likes of Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Boticelli. Born in 1881, Picasso defined modern art at the beginning of the last century by co-founding (with George Braque) the cubist movement. Among his most famous works are the proto-Cubist Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) and his depiction of the German bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, Guernica (1937).
Festival screenings & awards
BAFTA award nominated for best documentary
Credits
- Director: HAESAERTS, Paul
- Production Company: Art et Cinema
- Producer: RAEMDONCK, Jean van
- Screenplay and commentary written by HAESAERTS, Paul
- Photography: LEHÉRISSEY, Jean
- Photography: GUDIN, Pierre
- Photography: LONGENFELD, F.
- Editor: SAYSSET, Marcelle
- Editor: VERWEST, Marcel
- Music: SOURIS, André
- Music: FROIDEBISE, Pierre
- English Commentator: PATRICK, William
Scenes
Introduction: the importance of Picasso
In the introduction of this documentary, the director emphasizes the importance of Picasso in the world of art and painting.
Picasso and different styles in art
While looking at the different styles in the works of Picasso, the paintings are being chronologically ranked as followed; naturalism, cubism, realism, abstract surrealism and expressionism.
Picasso’s studio in Vallauris
In this clip, we take a look at the cottage Picasso turned into his studio. He lives in Vallauris, France
Picasso painting on glass part one
Picasso is painting some figures on glass, like birds, women and a bull. One could recognize these figures from his former paintings. It is intruiging to see him making these figures on glass with the greatest of ease.
The Picasso museum at chateau Grimaldi
The chateau Grimaldi has been changed into a museum for Picasso’s art work. The work involves Picasso’s paintings, sculptures and ceramics. This chateau is a perfect place to show off the art work.
Picasso painting on glass, part two
Again, we see Picasso drawing on glass. Thise time, it involves images with multiple figures. One could trace back the images of his paintings, like his famous painting Guernica.
