The Tate Modern is presenting a groundbreaking new exhibition that explores the theme of performance in Pablo Picasso's artwork, marking 100 years since the Spanish master unveiled his celebrated painting "The Three Dancers." The exhibition, titled "Theatre Picasso," brings together more than 50 works by the artist widely considered one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
The exhibition showcases Picasso's fascination with performers and their endless capacity for transformation, with the Tate noting that the artist "approached painting as a dramatic act in itself." At the heart of the display is "The Three Dancers," one of Picasso's most acclaimed works, alongside other famous paintings including "Weeping Woman" (1937) and "Nude Woman in a Red Armchair" (1932).
Picasso, who was born in 1881 in Malaga and died in 1973, is widely acknowledged as one of the most important artists of all time. Throughout his long career, he experimented with a wide range of styles and themes, most notably inspiring the Cubism movement. His 1937 work "Weeping Woman" serves as a leading example of this revolutionary artistic style that changed the course of modern art.
The comprehensive exhibition includes not only paintings but also prints, drawings, sculptures, textile works, and collages, many of which are key loans from leading Picasso museums in France. Works such as "The Acrobat" (1935) demonstrate Picasso's recurring use of circus themes, while "Horse with a Youth in Blue" (1905-06) represents examples of his early artistic period.
"Theatre Picasso" is being curated by contemporary artist Wu Tsang and writer and curator Enrique Fuenteblanca, who have created a unique presentation that examines Picasso's public persona as an artist. The Tate describes this as "a mythologized version of Picasso which portrayed him as both a celebrated creative genius and an outsider," noting that "this figure accompanied Picasso throughout his life and continues to shape how we imagine the role of the artist today."
Throughout his career, Picasso was known for incorporating drama and theatricality as central themes in his work. He drew inspiration from popular entertainers and marginalized figures, choosing to depict people from the circus world, bullfighters, and flamenco dancers. These subjects appear throughout the exhibition in works such as "Girl in a Chemise," "Horse with a Youth in Blue," and "Bullfight Scene" (1960) from the Tate's own collection.
The exhibition will feature an accompanying performance program that includes dance and flamenco, bringing Picasso's theatrical themes to life for visitors. This interactive element reinforces the artist's deep connection to performance and his belief that art itself was a form of dramatic expression.
"Theatre Picasso" will run at Tate Modern on Bankside from September 17 until April 12, offering visitors nearly seven months to experience this comprehensive exploration of one of art history's most significant figures. Admission is £15 for non-members, making this major retrospective accessible to art enthusiasts and the general public alike.
