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The Appropriation Of African Objects In Pablo Picasso’S Les Demoiselles D’Avignon, Madison Hummer
The Appropriation Of African Objects In Pablo Picasso’S Les Demoiselles D’Avignon, Madison Hummer
Senior Theses and Projects
In the early summer of 1907, after months of preparatory studies, Picasso completed the first version of Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. By mid-summer, he'd repainted two of the heads of the nude female forms to resemble African reliquary figures. This thesis examines this decision under the greater context of early-20th century colonialism. Why did Picasso include Africanizing elements in the Demoiselles, and to what extent can we apply the term "cultural appropriation" to his decision in modern art history?