Picasso's War Summary

How does modern art, once dismissed as deranged and dangerous, rise to symbolize freedom and democracy in America?

1. The Hostility Toward Modern Art in Early 20th-Century America

Modern art was not welcomed with open arms when it arrived in America. In 1911, many Americans dismissed avant-garde works as lunacy, claiming they were the product of deranged minds that threatened societal values. Critics favored classical European painters like Rembrandt and Velázquez over the abstract and bold pioneers of modern art, such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

This lukewarm or outright hostile reception wasn’t limited to critics and collectors. Public opinion was similarly scornful. Picasso’s Cubist works, for example, were often the butt of jokes and compared to nonsensical objects. A particularly infamous 1911 critic described his Standing Female Nude artwork as resembling “a bad fire escape.” Such strong resistance from the American audience resulted in the marginalization of modern artists, who struggled to gain traction in the US.

This climate was difficult not only for the artists themselves but also for individuals who sought to present and circulate their work stateside. One such individual was lawyer John Quinn, who, though intimidated at first, recognized the remarkable innovation in Picasso’s early drawings. However, efforts to introduce Americans to modern art had barely begun, and the road ahead was steep.

Examples

• Picasso’s early work exhibited in the US was met with laughter and confusion.
• Critics called modern art a menace to societal integrity.
• Depictions of Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cézanne were almost nonexistent in American collections.

2. John Quinn: Early Patron of Modern Art in the US

John Quinn became captivated by modern art and began amassing a personal collection in earnest. A successful lawyer, Quinn funneled much of his earnings into acquiring works by European modernists. Believing that the Metropolitan Museum’s art collection was outdated, he felt compelled to fill the void.

Quinn’s dedication to promoting modern art materialized in the influential 1913 Armory Show, a groundbreaking exhibition he helped facilitate in New York City. The show displayed the evolution of artistry, from Impressionists like Monet to experimental Cubists like Duchamp. This collection shocked audiences and sparked intense public and media discussion.

Aside from his role in introducing modernists to America, Quinn made an essential legal contribution by lobbying to repeal import taxes on modern art. These taxes had previously stifled the movements of creative works, which American collectors and buyers had little incentive to purchase. Quinn’s work removed this financial barrier, opening the gates for wider access to innovative European art.

Examples

• Quinn’s apartment overflowed with artworks by Matisse, Picasso, and others, reflecting his dedication.
• The 1913 Armory Show became a platform where Americans encountered Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase.
• Abolishing the import tax allowed Cézanne exhibits to finally reach American shores.

3. European Dealers and Picasso’s Commercial Ascent

Picasso’s rise to fame hinged heavily on the efforts of European art dealers like Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler and Paul Rosenberg. In 1907, Kahnweiler entered Picasso’s chaotic studio in Paris and brokered a deal to showcase his works. He took a minimalist approach to marketing, believing Picasso’s paintings would prove themselves to discerning buyers with little need for advertisement.

Yet Picasso’s path wasn’t without turmoil. When World War I erupted, Kahnweiler, a German Jew, had his assets seized. This disruption weakened his relationship with Picasso, who shifted allegiance to Paul Rosenberg. Unlike Kahnweiler, Rosenberg embraced a more flamboyant marketing style, hosting upscale exhibitions to attract buyers.

The change in Picasso's representation had a lasting impact. Rosenberg worked tirelessly to expand Picasso’s reach into untapped markets, especially the US. His commercial savvy and persistence gradually generated visibility for Picasso’s art, setting the stage for his eventual American acclaim.

Examples

• Kahnweiler signed Picasso to his gallery while living amidst squalor in Montmartre.
• After World War I, Kahnweiler’s confiscated artwork—including 132 Picassos—was auctioned in Paris.
• Rosenberg facilitated international exhibitions to corner the American market.

4. The Birth of the Museum of Modern Art

When John Quinn passed away in 1924, his unrivaled art collection faced dispersal due to the American establishment's enduring disinterest in modern works. Inspired by Quinn’s vision, three wealthy women—Lillie P. Bliss, Abby Rockefeller, and Mary Sullivan—took it upon themselves to change the cultural landscape.

Their efforts culminated in the creation of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 1929. They hired Alfred Barr, a progressive 27-year-old director, who introduced numerous innovations to reshape how people interacted with exhibits. Most notably, he curated shows with texts and guides to teach viewers about the evolution and significance of the works.

MoMA’s inaugural shows attracted massive crowds and succeeded in aligning modern art with American cultural identity. Barr’s strategic framing of modernist artworks started to push aside negative preconceptions, making modern art feel accessible—and even inspiring—to the public.

Examples

• Picasso and Van Gogh’s pieces became star attractions at MoMA’s exhibitions.
• Alfred Barr implemented "white wall" displays, spacing pieces so they could be individually appreciated.
• Educational booklets for exhibits elevated audience understanding and engagement.

5. Artistic Freedom as a Democratic Symbol

While the US began to finally embrace modern art in the 1930s, Europe’s cultural climate veered into repression. Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia outlawed and confiscated so-called “degenerate art,” erasing modernist expressions from public galleries and persecuting artists.

For exiled artists, America became a haven. This shift cast modern art in a new patriotic light. It came to symbolize democracy and the freedom of expression, an antithesis to the suppression found under totalitarian regimes. This association significantly rebranded avant-garde art in the minds of Americans.

These political connections added further credibility to MoMA and its exhibitions. By welcoming and preserving the works of fleeing artists, the museum positioned itself as a core defender of artistic freedom.

Examples

• Hitler used propaganda to denounce modern art as antithetical to national pride.
• Artists like Salvador Dalí and Marc Chagall fled to the US, where their works found sanctuary in galleries.
• MoMA's pro-democracy stance bolstered the reputation of American cultural institutions.

6. The Transformative Impact of the Picasso Exhibit

Alfred Barr dreamed of curating a Picasso exhibition for more than a decade. However, logistical challenges and World War II delayed its realization. When it finally opened in November 1939, Picasso: Forty Years of His Art was a runaway success.

The exhibit drew viewers into Picasso’s progression through various art movements, including Cubism and Surrealism. Over 360 works—distributed among US cities—revealed an artistic journey that connected modernism back to traditional European art foundations. The commentary dismantled popular notions of modern art as disconnected or nonsensical.

This show marked a turning point. American culture increasingly embraced Picasso’s legacy, and fashion designers briefly used bold Picasso motifs. For future artists like Jackson Pollock, his enduring influence offered both inspiration and new challenges to explore.

Examples

• Picasso’s forty-year retrospective toured major US venues amid World War II.
• Fashion retailers created window designs inspired by the exhibition.
• Painters like Roy Lichtenstein viewed the exhibit as foundational to their careers.

Takeaways

1. Seek out unconventional paths to challenge outdated norms, as John Quinn did for modern art in America.
2. Educate others to appreciate new ideas by providing context and actionable connections, much like Alfred Barr crafted his exhibitions.
3. Preserve cultural creations during turbulent times to ensure that artistic voices remain heard, mirroring MoMA’s efforts in sheltering works during World War II.