Title page from Le Chant des Morts (The Song of the Dead), 1948

Not on Viewexpand_more

Le Chant des Morts was Picasso's only book project with the Greek publisher and critic Tériade. The 43 poems by Pierre Reverdy, a writer and critic associated with the Surrealist movement, had just been completed in 1945 and called for a radical, new type of illustration. In the manner of old illuminated manuscripts, Picasso encircled the text with scroll-like lines, many resembling oriental calligraphy. The abstracted designs are like timeless symbols, reflecting the almost religious character of Reverdy's poems. Prior to this, no one had considered illustrating a modern text with such bold and unconventional markings.

Details
Title
Title page from Le Chant des Morts (The Song of the Dead)
Artist Life
(active France), 1881–1973
Role
Artist
Accession Number
B.88.2.3
Curator Approved

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