Pablo Picasso one time stated that art and sexuality are "the same thing.

Pablo Picasso one time stated that art and sexuality are "the same thing." And a modern exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, entitled "Picasso erotique," suffers that, in Picasso's case, art and sexuality indeed went hand-in-hand. From the brothel sketches of prostitutes and patrons, to the epochal "Le Demoiselles d'Avignon," to the uncovereds he produced at the age of 90--Picasso was fascinated with erotic imagery from one extremity to the other of his life and created centurys of works dealing with this theme.

Until now, this aspect of Picasso's oeuvre has been ignored from major museum exhibits, even allowing "his was a genius in which the creative action was fused with the sexual impulse," according to stay Cogeval, director of the museum. "Picasso erotique," organized by way of the museum and Musee Picasso in Paris, is the largest and greatest in number comprehensive display of erotic works by way of the late master, featuring more than 350 works--many rarely exhibited before suitable to reasons of censorship--including paintings, drawings, prints, plastic arts and ceramics.

Highlights include brothel pageants classically-inspired erotic scenes such as "La Toilette" (1906) and numerous studies for "Le Demoiselles d'Avignon."

A number of erotic works dating from the late 1920 and '30 are also upon view, reflecting his interest in Surrealism and fantasy. For Picasso, these fantasies were oftentimes of a sexual nature. "Why not the sex organs in place of the organ of visions and the eyes between the legs?" he formerly wondered.

The exhibit travels nearest to the Museum Picasso in Barcelona onward Oct. 25.

display FACTS

Picasso erotique

by the and of Sept. 16

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Address: Case postale 3000 succursale H Montreal (Quebec)

Phone: (514) 285-1600

Web site: www.mmfa.qc.ca

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