“Sculpture is the best comment that a painter can make on painting.”
- October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973
- Born in Spain
- Painter, sculptor, printmaker
- Founder of Cubism, he had a revolutionary influence on 20th century art, leaving behind masterpieces such as “Guernica”
Quote
“Sculpture is the best comment that a painter can make on painting.”
Explanation
In this quote, Picasso suggests that sculpture offers a unique and powerful form of expression that enhances and deepens the meaning of painting. For Picasso, sculpture wasn’t just an independent art form; it was a way for painters to physically embody or expand upon their painted ideas, translating them from two-dimensional to three-dimensional space. Sculpture, by engaging with form, volume, and space, provides a different perspective on the themes and concepts that are explored in painting. Picasso himself was deeply involved in both painting and sculpture, often moving between the two forms to explore and reinterpret his artistic ideas. This quote reflects his belief that the interaction between different artistic mediums can create a richer and more comprehensive dialogue about the world.
This idea remains relevant today, where many artists work across multiple disciplines to explore their ideas more fully. Sculpture can often be used as a means of commenting on or responding to painting—by transforming the concepts from a flat canvas into a more tangible form, providing new insights or emphasizing aspects that a painting alone might not convey. Picasso’s own works, such as his cubist sculptures, exemplify this approach, as he used sculpture to bring his two-dimensional paintings to life in a more dynamic, interactive way.
An example of this concept can be seen in modern artists like Alexander Calder, whose sculptures, like his mobiles, are often deeply connected to the principles of painting and color theory, yet they move beyond the canvas into physical space. Similarly, contemporary artists like Jeff Koons use sculpture to make commentary on popular culture, often translating painted or graphic designs into larger-than-life physical forms. Picasso’s quote reminds us that sculpture, as a physical manifestation of an artist’s thought, provides an enriching extension and commentary on the artist’s painted work, offering a new lens through which to view and engage with their creative vision.
