As the final month of the “Maria Blanchard: An Artist in Spite of Cubism” exhibition approaches, art enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to delve into the life and work of one of Spain’s most remarkable yet often overlooked artists. Hosted at the Museo Picasso Málaga, this retrospective offers a comprehensive look at Blanchard’s contributions to the Cubist movement and beyond.
Why is she an artist, “in spite of Cubism”?
Maria Blanchard (1881), born in Santander- as it is clearly evident through her incredibly British sounding last name- did not partake in the movement called Vorticism and was not like the other artists from within the nation that were practising the genre of the avant- garde. Standing out from the get go, she took her own path by spending her formative years in portraits that stylistically and thematologiacally resembled more the Spanish and Latin American Cubist pioneers.
Her affiliation with the objectives of the movement made her just as much a forerunner in Cubism, as everybody else. An artistic achievement which was unprecedented up until then. Especially, when you were classified within a genre predominantly dominated by male artists. Despite the title of the exhibition, which suggests a contrast or resistance to Cubism, Blanchard’s artistic journey is, in fact, deeply intertwined with this avant-garde movement. Her works are a testament to the versatility and emotional depth that Cubism could convey, transcending the purely analytical approaches typically associated with the genre.
Blanchard’s unique ability to infuse her Cubist compositions with personal emotion and societal commentary set her apart. While she embraced the geometric fragmentation and multiple perspectives characteristic of Cubism, she did so in a way that expanded the movement’s expressive potential. Her work is a blend of the movement’s formal innovations and her own narrative depth, making her both a quintessential Cubist and an artist who, in some ways, transcended the movement.
Exhibition Overview
The exhibition, which runs until September 29, 2024, features 85 works, including oil paintings, pastels, and drawings. Curated by José Lebrero Stals and sponsored by Fundación Unicaja, the retrospective is a chronological survey of Blanchard’s artistic journey, highlighting her symbolic richness, social commitment, and formal complexity.
Notable Works
Among the notable pieces on display are:
- Girl at her First Communion (1914)
- Lady with a Fan (1913-16)
- La Boulonnaise (1922-23)
- The Fortune Teller (1924-25)
Additionally, the pastel on paper Girl at an Open Window (1924) is exhibited for the first time outside of the United Kingdom since its acquisition by the Courtauld Institute of Art in the 1930s. The exhibition also features two previously unseen works: Lunch (1922) and Girl with a Bracelet (1922-23).
Exhibition Schedule
Visitors can explore the exhibition during the following hours:
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The exhibition is free for Spanish-speaking visitors, while groups in English and French can book tickets for €85.
“Maria Blanchard: An Artist in Spite of Cubism” is more than just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the indomitable spirit of an artist who, while deeply rooted in Cubism, managed to carve out a distinctive place within and beyond the movement. This exhibition is an opportunity not only to witness the legacy of Maria Blanchard but also to gain a deeper understanding of her unique contributions to modern art, which straddled the boundaries of Cubism and personal expression. Don’t miss this chance to explore the works of an artist who both defined and defied the artistic conventions of her time.