Pablo Picasso at Wilhelm Ude

Pablo Picasso at Wilhelm Ude. One is a genius who changed the face of art in the 20th century. The other is a collector and art dealer who saw this genius when others laughed. Without Ude, Picasso might not have become Picasso so quickly. Without Picasso, Ude would not have entered history. Their friendship-collaboration lasted for decades, survived wars and emigration. How did a German Jew and a Spanish painter find each other in Paris? How did Ude help Picasso, and Picasso saved Ude? We tell a story full of passion, art, and mutual benefit.

How they met

In 1905, the young German art historian Wilhelm Ude arrived in Paris. He was fascinated by the avant-garde. At that time, Picasso (24 years old) had already moved from the "blue" to the "pink" period, but his paintings were almost not sold. Ude went to the Clovis Sagot gallery, where he saw Picasso's works. He was amazed: the plane, broken lines, strange faces. Ude bought several works, including " Acrobat and Young Harlequin." They met personally in 1907 at the Rotonde cafe. Picasso liked the German: he was serious, did not jump into silly questions. Ude began collecting Picasso's paintings, although they were almost needed by no one. This was a risk, but Ude believed in his "boy."

Picasso's first exhibition in Ude's gallery

In 1908, Ude opened a small gallery at Rue Notre-Dame-de-Chaussée. There he organized Picasso's first solo exhibition. The poster was drawn by the artist himself. The public was shocked: " Les Demoiselles d'Avignon " had already been painted, but not exhibited. Ude showed more early works. The exhibition did not have commercial success, but attracted the attention of critics. Georges Braque, André Derain, Guillaume Apollinaire became regulars at the gallery. Ude did not earn money, but gained a reputation as "a discoverer of talents."

Ude and Cubism

Picasso and Braque invented Cubism. Ude was one of the few dealers who agreed to exhibit these "strange things." In 1912, he organized the "Cubists" exhibition, where Picasso, Braque, Juan Gris, Fernand Léger participated. The public whistled, but Ude did not give up. He bought several cubist works that later became a golden fund of art. Picasso called Ude "the only German who understands modern art."

Break and Reunion

World War I separated them. Ude was a German citizen and was expelled from France. Picasso remained in Paris. Ude moved to Switzerland, then to Germany. They lost contact. After the war, Ude returned to Paris, but Picasso had already become famous, he was promoted by other dealers (Canvasser, Rosenberg). Ude was broke. However, in the 1920s, they met. Picasso helped his old friend, giving several drawings for sale. Relations remained warm, although they no longer collaborated commercially.

Ude as Picasso's collector

During his lifetime, Ude collected more than 50 works by Picasso, including " Les Demoiselles d'Avignon " (which he later sold). Unfortunately, during World War II, the Nazis confiscated his collection (Ude was a Jew). Some paintings were lost, some returned after the war. Today, works from Ude's collection hang in museums around the world. Picasso himself helped Ude compile the description of the lost works.

Ude's influence on Picasso's creativity

There was no direct influence. Ude did not suggest plots. But his faith in Picasso supported the artist in difficult times. Picasso said: "When others turned away, Ude remained." They together visited cafes, discussed art. Some art historians believe that Ude's interest in naive art (Rousseau, Serafina) influenced Picasso's interest in primitivism. But this is controversial.

Picasso and the discovery of Serafina by Ude

When Ude discovered Serafina from Sanlis, he showed her works to Picasso. He was amazed. This brought them even closer. Picasso even bought several of her paintings. So Ude and Picasso together opened the world to a new genius.

End of friendship

Wilhelm Ude died in 1947 in Paris, in poverty. Picasso, upon hearing of his death, said: "I lost a friend who was with me at the beginning." Picasso did not attend the funeral (was on a trip), but sent a wreath. Later, he provided funds for the publication of a book about Ude's collection.

Pablo Picasso and Wilhelm Ude — this is a story of how one person believed in another when no one else did. Ude was not just a dealer; he was a friend, a critic, a moral support. Without him, Picasso's path would have been much more rugged.

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