Picasso: A Cubist Commission in Brooklyn

This exhibition will present a fascinating but little-known chapter of cubism: Pablo Picasso’s commission by American art collector, painter, and critic, Hamilton Easter Field for a decorative ensemble intended for the library of his Brooklyn townhouse. The eight extant canvas panels – assembled together for the first time – with related works on paper and archival material will show how the commission, while unrealized, served as a catalyst for Picasso’s exploration of cubist form, as he worked, abandoned, and then reworked the panels. The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity not only to study this noteworthy project, but also an occasion to consider cubism in relation to decorative and architectural space.