The Cubist Revolution @ The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo

I went to see the “The Cubist Revolution An Exhibition from the Collection of the Centre Pompidou, Paris” at the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno.

It’s quite an achievement that a bunch of works from the Pompidou Center in Paris made their way to Tokyo.

Feeling pretty fulfilled…

The exhibition not only showcases paintings but also gives you a sense of the atmosphere back when Cubism was unveiled (1910-20s). It really feels like you’re in early 20th-century Paris.

The early Picasso and subdued tones of Braque’s works are great, but I also enjoyed the colorful pieces developed by artists from Greece and Eastern Europe.

Also, the magazines from that time were chic.

Apparently, Cubism was somewhat ridiculed back then. There were photos and magazines that hinted at that, and it was quite entertaining.

Like the pamphlet for “Parade,” where Picasso did the costume design, Satie the music, and Cocteau the script… pretty punk for a Cubism exhibition. After immersing myself in that, I headed to the permanent exhibition.

Paintings of Christ… and such.

I was surprised by the contrast with Cubism.

It feels like I briefly experienced the shock when Cubism first emerged.

There’s also a corner displaying works that used traditional art techniques, which were central to the art scene at that time.

Another side of the 19th century – Bouguereau, Millet, and Academy painters.

The portrait of Gabriel Cott by William-Adolphe Bouguereau was particularly impressive.

When you see Cubism and the permanent exhibition together, it somehow balances your emotions, lol.