Minori Chugenji HUA195.1386 April 19th Thur Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudi to Dali at Metropolitan Museum "Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudi to Dali" has been exhibited through June 3rd 2007. The theme of this exhibition is exploring the diverse and innovative work of Barcelona's artists, architects, and designers in the years between the Barcelona Universal Exposition of 1888 and the imposition of the Fascist regime of Francisco Franco in 1939. All works are divided in nine thematic sections. At the beginning with Catalan renaissance,and Modernism, Noucentisme, and Surrealism. Then final section on works of art influenced by the Spanish Civil War. One of the work by Ramon Casas called " Ramon casas and Pere Romeu on a Tandem" is from Modernism: Els Quatre Gats section greatly striking work in the entrance of this exhibition. Also "La Vie" by Picasso is outstanding among the other works in this exhibition. The reason why I chose these works are that that grabbed my intention in spite ignorance of this era of art for me. I want to talk about background those two works behind. "Ramon casas and Pere Romeu on a Tandem" by Ramon Casas actually is his portraits with Romeu. Actually there is an under the title of this work, called," The End of the Nine teens Century," and the replacement painting as "The beginning of the Twentieth Century," which himself and Ramon in a car and wearing extra fur coats demonstrating the decadent costumes favored by the Modernism. Why Casa replaced this work to the new one was considered that he obsessed with modernity and progress as well as his pride in being one of the first people in Barcelona to have a car. In 1901, the magazine "Pel & Ploma ( Hair & Feather) reproduced Casa's tandem bicycle painting under the title " The end of the Nineteenth Century" and the replacement painting as " The Beginnings of the Twentieth Century." At the same year, Casas and Rusinol joined with others to establish Els Quatre Gats( The Four Cats) a legendary cafe that became the focus of bohemian artistic activity in Barcelona and was the site of meetings. exhibitions , poetry readings and puppet theater performances. "Ramon Casas and Pere Romeu on a Tandem" by Ramon Casas (End of the 19th Century), 1897 Oil on canvas; 75 1/8 x 84 1/2 in. (191 x 215 cm) Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona Photo © MNAC-Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona, 2006 Photo: Jordi Calveras, Marta Mèrida, Joan Sagristà Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona The other work by Picasso called, "La Vie" is also his portraits as well. He actually preparatory sketched himself between a naked woman ( his model or lover.) The other sketches also include another artist entering the studio. But later he replaced the man with the robed woman cradling a baby. X-rays of the painting reveal the man on the left remained a self portrait. Also Picasso replaced his futures with Carles Casayemas, a close friend who had committed suicide in 1901. The crouching woman in the lower center: a creature with a human body and the head and wings of bird flying over a nude woman reclining on the ground. The meaning of this scene is still remained as a subject that we need to think about. "La Vie" by Pablo Picasso Oil on canvas; 77 3/8 x 50 7/8 in. (196.5 x 129.2 cm) The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the Hanna Fund 1945.24 © Estate of Pablo Picasso/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York I am not sure that I like those works a lot. Those are just catching my eyes and mostly really dynamic images for me. The former work "Ramon casas~ is really remarkable work from that era. The back ground of the work really speaks about the image and time. On the other hand, "La Vie" by Picasso is totally personal work which is no related to the time of period, so that his work always full of sadness in spite of Barcelona was the core of prosperity at that time. All over, works from this exhibition, Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudi to Dali are so dynamic and vivid which reflect of the situation of the time period in many way. I really enjoyed the show anyway.