Picasso designs lent by Royal Opera House to Tate
Exhibition showcases Royal Opera House Collections
Royal Opera House Collections has loaned a selection of prints to Tate Britain as part of the gallery’s Picasso & Modern British Art exhibition.
The exhibition explores Picasso’s connections to Britain and his influence on British art, in part focusing on the artist’s work creating theatrical scenery and designing costumes for the stage.
Francesca Franchi, Head of Collections, explained:
“Picasso only made two visits to Britain and the first was in 1919 when he was designing the costumes and set for Leonide Massine’s ballet Le tricorne [The Three Cornered Hat], first performed at The Alhambra Theatre by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes company.”
The exhibition includes stencilled colour prints of the costume and set designs created by Picasso, as well as a selection of costumes including the shirt and waistcoat worn by Léonide Massine in the 1949 production of Le tricorne at Sadler’s Wells.
The costume collection at the Royal Opera House is one of the largest collections of historic theatre costumes. It includes not only costumes but also an array of accessories, wigs, and facial hair.
The exhibition runs at Tate Britain until 15 July 2012 before travelling to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, in time for this year’s Edinburgh Festival.
Fab exhibition, well worth seeing. The designs by Picasso are amazing. Btw, I like the b/w photo included here. Isn't that Violetta Elvin as the Miller's Wife?