“Picasso's African Period, which lasted from 1907 to 1909, was the period when Pablo Picasso painted in a style which was strongly influenced by African sculpture.” (ASK) http://www.ask.com/wiki/Pablo_Picasso/African
His paintings, typified by simplified, angular forms, were rendered in a muted palette of reds and browns. Around this time, the French empire was expanding into Africa, and African artifacts were being brought back to Paris museums, exposing Picasso to a truly unique form of art.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1170794
Today I was wandering around in a junkyard taking photos when I noticed this large heavy tapered chunk of metal. Since I started this series of “Homage” images I’m hyper sensitive to seeing things with parings in mind. When I first spotted this thing I saw it as a powerful reflection of African masks I’ve seen. It was not a great jump to link it to Picasso’s paintings, which were strongly influenced by African art.
http://www.artquotes.net/masters/picasso/picasso_selfport1907.jpg
Self Portrait from 1907 by Pablo Picasso was painted around the same time as his famous Les Demoiselles d'Avignon painting. The portrait is mask-like and possibly influenced by African art, which the artist had a fascination with. (ArtQuotes.net)
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
Pablo Picasso wearing a bull mask
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l0kr3y0TbM1qzn0deo1_500.jpg
This 19th century Fang sculpture is similar in style to what Picasso encountered in Paris just prior to Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.
http://rpmedia.ask.com/ts?u=/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Fang_mask_Louvre_MH65-104-1.jpg/140px-Fang_mask_Louvre_MH65-104-1.jpg
FANG Gabon, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/38/61638-050-344CA1BF.jpg
Woman with Green Hair.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j9VUmBswTWg/TTZRg64tn7I/AAAAAAAAAV8/q6Adoj_Vvug/s1600/Picasso-Art-painting-Woman-with-Green-Hair.JPG
Signed Pablo Picasso, Ceramic, Lozenge with Mask, 1956
http://www.masterworksfineart.com/inventory/picasso/original/picasso2383.jpg
Today was an especially good day taking pictures. I had a new camera, a Canon 5D MKII that I received this morning from my local photo store. My original 5D went down broken a few weeks ago and was sent back to Canon for repairs. In the meantime crazed with camera lust, I ordered this new camera. I’m really looking forward to using some of the new features it has over my old trusty 5D. Canon did fix my trusty old 5D, and now I have a super second camera. Joy!
