Picasso - A Culture Show Special

Synopsis

Special edition all about the life and work of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century - Pablo Picasso.

Andrew Graham-Dixon is in Paris - the art capital of 20th-century Europe and the place where Picasso spent much of his life. Andrew tells Picasso's story from his early days in Montmartre, the artist's obsession with all things Modern and the invention of Cubism, through to Picasso's fascination with the Grand Masters of European painting. Picasso endlessly borrowed from, copied, satirised and re-vamped the paintings of the European masters including Delacroix, El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, Rembrandt, Degas and Manet. The programme includes contributions from Picasso's grandson Olivier and his biographer Pierre Daix.

Sixty of Picasso's paintings will be on display at a major exhibition at the National Gallery in London. Picasso: Challenging the Past runs from February 25th until June and will show how Picasso's work was shaped and inspired by the Masters of European painting.

Credits

Presenter

Andrew Graham-Dixon

Participant

Pierre Daix

Producer

Edward Morgan

Producer

Danielle Graham

Broadcasts

1. Tue 17 Mar 2009
   22:00
   BBC Two (except Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland (Analogue))
2. Tue 17 Mar 2009
   23:20
   BBC Two (Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland (Analogue) only)