Customer Reviews

Biography - Pablo Picasso: A Primitive Soul [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Pablo Picasso was a remarkably prolific artist whose styles were groundbreaking for the 20th century. His equal appetite for women is presented in this video and one can, for the first time, see his portraits of the women he lived with, loved, abused and had children with. It is a long video (100 minutes) but it held my students spellbound. They hated him for his womanizing, but respected the art. Most of the images come from the Picasso Museum in Paris and are well documented. I loved the interviews with his daughter by Maria Therese, wife Francoise and child Paloma. They added much first hand information about Picasso and his other wives and mistresses. The artist himself is also featured creating some of his paintings. For a film to go along with this one, I also recommend Surviving Picasso which is based on the memoirs by Francoise of her life with him. Any art student or lover will enjoy this film.

A rich and fascinating story -- well done. Avoided pitfalls so many Picasso writers and movie makers don't -- not gossipy but rich with information.

I am replacing my copy of this Biography of "Pablo Picasso--a Primitive Soul" because I wore the old one out! I show it several times a year to my Art History classes and I have never tired of it. For some reason, many art history videos are short on images and long on tedious detail. This film has hundreds of paintings and drawings explained chronologically and in detail by interesting people who actually knew Picasso. Especially interesting to students is how much Picasso's art was influenced by his personal relationships with women.

Despite the 100 minute length, the vast majority of hundreds of students who have seen it in my class loved it. Even better, they have exhibited enthusiasm and understanding of Picasso's art. That, in turn, opened their eyes to other forms of 20th century art and increased their appreciation for art in general. They see Picasso as an imperfect genius who speaks to them in spite of his faults. A secondary benefit is opening dialogue about Picasso's great rival, Matisse. Norman Mailer sums it up when as he sees the flawed man and the great artist existing in the same man. Given the headlines, what could be more contemporary.

Quality A&E program lacks the convenience of a menu page. It runs 100 minutes so finding your place, if you don't watch it in one sitting, is awkward.