The Sculpture of Picasso: A Must See at MoMA

Winter is a great time to re-acquaint yourselves with the treasures that are New York's museums. If you haven't been to MoMA for a while, now would be the perfect time for a visit.

On exhibit until February 7 is a fabulous collection of some of Picasso's pivotal works in three dimensions. The exhibit is the first such museum showing in almost 50 years.

During Picasso's long career as an artist who changed the history of art, he constantly devoted himself to working in three dimensions. He experimented with unconventional materials and techniques, while also turning to more traditional styles.

Goat Sculpture by Picasso. Photo by  Dan McKay

Picasso's relationship to sculpture was different than his relationship to painting. He was formally trained as a painter, and made his living as one, and he spent much of his time in this pursuit. Sculpture was much more personal for Picasso. He was less afraid to experiment in this medium, and in many ways could express a more personal side of himself through his sculpture.

In 1966 Picasso displayed a huge sampling of his artwork through his grand retrospective held in Paris, Hommage à Picasso. Only during that showing was the public made fully aware of his connection to three dimensional art. One year later the Museum of Modern Art put together "The Sculpture of Picasso, which until the current show, was the only exhibition in North America which displayed such a large amount of this artist's sculptures.