Asia, a continent with a rich history and diverse art forms, has been a long-time admirer of Pablo Picasso’s works. The Spanish artist’s innovative style and techniques have captivated audiences across the region, with several key pieces now adorning the walls of Asian collectors. Key Pieces Sold in Asia
* “Buste de femme” (1953) – sold for £4.3 million to an Asian private collector at Sotheby’s in London in 2022
* “Claude et Paloma” – sold for $28.2 million to a Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group in New York in 2013
* “Homme assis” – sold for $1.5 million to a private collector in Shanghai in 2013
* “Massacre in Korea” – a painting believed to represent Picasso’s critiquing response to America’s involvement in the Korean War and the resulting violence
Picasso’s connection to Asia began in the 1910s, when people in the region first learned of his work. Despite never having visited Asia himself, he was influenced by various Asian artists and traditions throughout his life.
“Picasso told Okamoto that he possessed several Japanese woodblock prints, and that they were not refined ones, but earlier, more primitive ones,”
— Masayuki Tanaka, Musashino Art University professor
One of the notable connections between Picasso and Asia is his inspiration from Japanese culture. His landscape painting, “View of the French Riviera town Juan-les-Pins,” features simple trees, reminiscent of Tang Yin’s style. Tang Yin was a renowned Chinese painter and poet, who lived during the Ming dynasty.
Asian Artists Inspired by Picasso
* Simon Fujiwara’s “Who vs Who vs Who? A Picture of a Massacre” references Picasso’s “Massacre in Korea” and “Guernica”
* Qi Baishi created his own interpretation of Picasso’s famous dove images in 1952, titled “Peace Dove”
* The Chinese words for lotus and vase are heping — the Chinese word for “peace”
Picasso in Asia
Asia has been hosting Picasso’s works for decades. As early as 1913, a local Japanese art journal reproduced his 1909 cubist painting “Woman with a Mandolin.” Six years later, his works were shown in China.
More recently, in 2010, Hong Kong hosted ‘Modern Masters,’ an exhibition dedicated to modern and impressionist art. Former Sotheby’s International Chair Patti Wong, said this exhibit was a ‘launch pad’ to introduce private sales to buyers in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Beijing Exhibit ‘Picasso – Birth of Genius’
The 2018 Beijing exhibit ‘Picasso – Birth of Genius’ drew more than 300,000 visitors. This demonstrates the artist’s popularity with the general public too.
South Korea Exhibition
A few years earlier, more than 300,000 people viewed the 226 works brought to South Korea.
Picasso for Asia: A Conversation
The ‘Picasso for Asia: A conversation’ at M+ Museum in Hong Kong is a currency showcasing more than 60 Picasso works, on loan from the Musée National Picasso-Paris. The works hang alongside 130 from Asian artists continuing an artistic dialogue.
British Auction House Christie’s
British auction house Christie’s sold Picasso’s first artwork on the ground in China in 2013. “Homme assis” sold to a private collector in Shanghai for $1.5 million.