After the first scene, inaugurated at the start of the year, the Act V installation moves on to scene 2, which draws on a mythical element of the collection, "the Arles Picassos", comprising an extraordinary suite of 57 drawings donated by the artist in 1971, together along two paintings and several engravings. A large number of photographs, brought together here thanks to the generosity of photographers such as Lucien Clergue, complete this collection and represent a remarkable gallery of portraits.
One year on the 40th anniversary of this donation, and one year away from the 40th anniversary of the artist's death, the museum brings new light to bear on on this unique collection.
Christian Lacroix is back as the museum's guest of honour for this special event, four years after his great opera of 2008. On that occasion, he recalled that decisive turning point in his life when he discovered the great artist during the 1957 exhibition, and he showed several of his couture dresses in the Picasso rooms. This year, he returns to the "launch pad" in his role as costume designer, and takes possession of the rooms, whose visit has been completely redesigned by the museum. The stage is set for some of his most stunning creations for theatre and ballet. Some whisper sotto voce, others proclaim it out loud; but all voice his humble hymn to the major figures of Picasso's world... via Velázquez and the Spanish Golden Age of painting, even via the corrida, represented here in several of his matador costumes. It all comes to a grand "Amen"in the chapel...
Lenders: Comédie française Théâtre National de l'Opéra comique; Opéra National de Paris, Centre National du costume de Scène à Moulins; ToolsGalerie, Paris; XCLX; Staatoper Im Schillertheater (Opéra National de Berlin).
