Journal, Diary, & Blogging / Random Object Post

I feel compelled to say something – but I am at a loss as to what to say. Fortunately I am surrounded by things I like – so let’s pick a random object.

I see…the Picasso print, on the wall – “La mujer del mechon”, 1903, pastel drawing by the 23 year old Pablo Picasso. “The woman with the scarf”, if i am not mistaken.

We bought this in Barcelona, where the original was created. The portrait bears an uncanny resemblance to Lindy – especially the eyes. The overall tone is blue-greenish. She looks at me from her position on the wall – calm, serene. Timelessly elegant.

When I look at this drawing I understand what is meant by genius. Yet I understand nothing. This drawing conveys an essential abstraction of a virtually undefinable quality. By looking at the portrait, I cannot know anything about the person who was the model, but I can know everything about the way she looked at the young Picasso. I know nothing of what she was thinking, but it is quite clear how he perceived her.

What is the drawing, really ? In what way is it more than coloured crayon on a piece of paper ? The tools: the crayon and the paper and the muscle and the eye captured a drifting moment, a momentary relationship. It is not a portrait of a young woman. It is the shadow of an emotion. The genius of the artist is in being able to so accurately give form to what words can hardly express.

My favourite coffee mug was bought at the Tate Modern in London and is a memento of an exhibition of Edward Hopper’s works. The cup is a simple white and grey cup with the following text on it: “If you could say it in words there’d be no reason to paint”. Yes, indeed.

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