Woodcut. May 17, 1964. Frank Getlein, Art Critic of the Star (Washington DC) said: "Among the prints that liven things up are District Artist M. Godsen's (sic) "Little Miss Muffet," which appears to be a variation on the theme used by Picasso in "Demoniselles d'Avignon." (sic)(Sixty-seventh Annual National Exhibition of the Washington Water Color Association at the Smithsonian. In those days the WWCA included prints in its water color exhibits).
I was thrilled with the comment but, in retrospect, the connection remains a mystery to me, unless he was referring to the experimental restructuring of the traditional print format, and changed image of Muffet (intended), though it was not inspired by the ground breaking imagery of Les Demoiselles of d'Avignon of 1907. I did not read about Picasso until the mid 1970s when, belatedly, I got a 'formal' (pioneering a self-designed) interdisciplinary education at University Without Walls, Hofstra University, Long Island, NY, earning a B.A. degree.
LOOKING FORWARD TO April 17, 2009, New York Times and Roberta Smith on REASSESSING PICASSO:
Smith writes: "In his catalog essay Mr. Richardson writes that Picasso said that technique was important, 'on condition that one has so much ....that it completely ceases to exist.
But according to a short film playing in a small side gallery (at the Gagosian in Chelsea), Picasso also said that 'unless your picture goes wrong, it will be no good.' "
Well, I have an edition of Little Ms. Muffet that did go wrong that hasn't seen the light of day since! Perhaps, in my dotage, that should change!
I found the very geometric shape surrounding the miniscule spider very interesting. I also get the impression of the female figure glancing quickly at the spider and then turning away in disgust.
ReplyDeleteMy Janus profile had not been discovered at that time - it must have been there all the time.....
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