Matisse And Picasso In Lincoln

In Lincoln today a narrow blue and gold window in the weather revealed the cathedral's limestone façade in all its glory. John Ruskin declared Lincoln Cathedral out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles . . .  

Secondhand bookshop on Steep Hill . . . 

Norman house on Steep Hill, now home to Imperial Teas, one of my favourite shops . . .

After a salad in Pizza Express we headed for The Collection, Lincoln's museum and art gallery. We'd come to see the Modern Masters touring exhibition —  Picasso, Dali, Matisse and Warhol prints from London's V & A . . .

Here's a famous picture of Picasso taken by the French photographer, Robert Doisneau. Picasso looks so alert and playful. Those bread fingers! 

This iconic etching, The Frugal Repast, was one of the first prints Picasso ever made — and it's acclaimed as one of his best. Picasso was always ready to explore new media, and quickly became an outstanding and original adept at many different printmaking techniques. These thin figures at such a frugal table give a world-weary sense of isolation and melancholy . . .    

In contrast,  Picasso's delightful aquatint, The Flea, showing a lady removing a flea from her derrière, makes you smile in its depiction of such a private moment . . .  

Matisse loved printmaking. He was especially fond of portraying nudes. Indeed, he rarely used models with any clothes on at all.