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Picasso is the Answer to a Society That No Longer Believes in God

CATHOLIC HERALD
By Francis Phillips
Femme au Chien' by Pablo Picasso (PA)
UNITED KINGDOM---I recently reviewed for the Herald the “Spiritual Letters” of the well-known art critic, Sister Wendy Beckett. It is a collection of letters to another nun about God, the religious vocation and other topics. There are few references to artists or works of art but Sister Wendy does briefly mention her love for Paul Klee and for Matisse, yet admits to finding Picasso “a very poor third [by comparison.] All power and no beauty.” What happens to art in a society when belief in God has withered away? I suppose Picasso is the answer. The story of Western art -including the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe – and its magnificent flourishing in the Christian centuries has been told by the late Lord Clark in the celebrated 1960s TV series “Civilization.” Significantly, the series ended with the 20th century – just when Picasso stepped into the circus ring. [link]
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Ernest Disney-Britton said…
Interesting piece, taking on the leading icon of the secular art world and making him the symbol of a society without G-D. The assertion is even backed up with a quote from my favorite art critic, Sister Wendy Beckett. So, do I buy it or challenge this? I reject this assertion because it is an attack on Picasso's artistic and religious freedom. He was not the first secular artist. He didn't create the secular world, and nor should he be blamed or credited for it. I still like the twist. It causes you to think, and that's what discussions about religion & art should always do.
Sat Jun 22, 05:01:00 PM EDT
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