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Portrait of a sleeping woman III - Picasso

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The painting is of Françoise Gilot, partner of Picasso for 10 years and mother to 2 of his children. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/mar/12/picasso-museum-to-show-work-of-francoise-gilot-ex-partner-he-tried-to-destroy

note the nothingness of the tag yet so much time was spent gazing, observing each inhalation, exhalation ~ each held breath ~ not disturbing her rest. love learns no more. she once had a name. perhaps it was unimportant in the end. love learns no more. "unimportant" ~ a title that occupies such space, especially when it’s breathed in, embedded into the lungs. muse turned subject turned ~ forgotten element, undeserving of identity.

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Mike Bayles

Date: 3/16/2025 1:14:00 PM

I like "she once had a name".

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/17/2025 12:27:00 AM

Thank you Mike, it was only read when I read a bit more about Picasso and the painting that she not only had a name but was very significant. Thanks for your comment

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 3/16/2025 8:50:00 AM

I like the painting. Your poem identifies nothing. Perhaps nothing is the biggest part of life. It's very worrisome.

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/16/2025 11:10:00 AM

Thanks Hilda, nothing and meaning perhaps are interchangeable once time moves on.

Duke Beaufort

Date: 3/15/2025 6:41:00 PM

Di11y, you're updating my art history education! What an interesting painting in view of the story. Thank you for sharing it. It's a real treat to have you bring this some additional light and exposure. Smiles, of course!! BTW, I took a few minutes to go read the linked article. There are huge insights to be had from it. It's not flattering to Pablo that he let his ego react in that way. A remarkable story that I shall not forget. Thanks for what you did here. Isn't it remarkable how some truths ultimately surface?

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/16/2025 1:28:00 AM

I think we choose to let the personality of Picasso not interfere with the appreciation of the art he produced. He was a misogynist and abusive to the women in his life. A clear and undisputed fact. If you Google artists who were horrible people, he's in the top ten. Given how interacting with art can be an emotional thing, it does seem strange the art can be appreciated at all. Perhaps he loved them for the moments he painted them. It's a fascinating topic really in how we can compartmentalise to appreciate and abhor simultaneously. Thanks for your comment.