The Fourteenth of July (Le quatorze juillet)

The Fourteenth of July is an ideal counterpart to Le Moulin de la Galette; illustrating the extremes of style, mood, and traditions that manifested Picasso’s imagination during his early years. His use of color explodes as freely as the firecrackers set off by the festive crowd shown, scattered all over the canvas. The composition, however, is far from being cheerfully scattered. Rather, it is masterfully disciplined. The figures located at the lower left of the painting are counterbalanced by the crowd on the right, in addition to the stepped rooflines in back. The counterpoint of the two groups is emphasized by making nearly all the figures to the right blend into a blur of colors, while the figures on the left are treated with much more individuality. Through these elements, Picasso may depict a national celebration, but there is still a slight, lingering tone of melancholy amid the excitement and happiness.
SKU: 6099
Creator: Pablo Picasso
Date: 1901
Original Medium: oil on cardboard, mounted on canvas
Original Size: 18 7/8 x 24 3/4 in.
Location: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
© Succession Picasso 2011