The Picasso/Chanel exhibition at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, Spain

Lifestyle – The Picasso/Chanel exhibition at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid

The Picasso/Chanel exhibition at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, Spain, explored the relationship between two of the 20th century’s most influential artists: Pablo Picasso and Gabrielle Chanel. The exhibition, which ran from October 11, 2022, to January 15, 2023, brought together paintings, sculptures, drawings, and fashion designs to examine the creative dialogue between these two icons.

Picasso and Chanel met in 1917 and quickly formed a close friendship. They shared a mutual admiration for each other’s work and collaborated on several projects, including the ballet Parade in 1917 and the opera Antigone in 1922. The exhibition explored how their friendship and creative exchange influenced their respective artistic styles.

The exhibition was divided into four sections:

• The First Encounter (1915-1917): This section examined the early years of Picasso and Chanel’s friendship, focusing on their shared interest in Cubism and Russian ballet.

• The Shared World of Jean Cocteau (1917-1924): This section focused on the role of the poet and playwright Jean Cocteau in bringing Picasso and Chanel together. It also explored their collaboration on the ballet Parade and the opera Antigone.

• The Transformation of Fashion (1924-1929): This section examined Chanel’s groundbreaking fashion designs, which were influenced by Picasso’s Cubist style. It also looked at how Chanel used Picasso’s costumes for her ballet Le Train Bleu.

• The Enduring Friendship (1930-1973): This section explored the enduring friendship between Picasso and Chanel, even after their collaboration waned. It also looked at how their work continued to influence each other throughout their lives.

I was lucky enough to see the exhibition, a unique opportunity to see the work of these two iconic artists side-by-side. It was a fascinating exploration of their creative dialogue and the profound impact they had on each other’s work.