Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange (Afghans and Picasso Family - Luiz Aoki, Steve Tillotson) |
Pablo Picasso and Kasbec
By Luiz Aoiki, Stenara Afghans (USA and Brazil)
Other Fanciers might be fascinated to know that Pablo, Ruyz, Diego, Jose, Francisco de Paula, Juan Nepomuceno, Maria de los Remedios, and Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad , also know as Pablo Picasso ( It was a Spanish tradition to give a child multiple names ) shared life with not only one but at least two Afghans!
The photo above is of Pablo Picasso and Kasbec, and the picture that is shown elow is either of Kasbec a little older or another Afghan.
I first saw the picture of the Chicago’s iron sculpture when I was a teenager, reading "The Complete Afghan Hound Book" by Joan Mc Donald Brearley. Even then, I had NO doubts that the sculpture was a homage to his all time friend, companion and inspiration, the Afghan Hound.
At that time I was living in Sao Paulo-Brazil and had no idea that one day I would be living so close to the real one!
Mrs.. Brearley mentioned some of the art work featuring the Afghan Kabul as well as raising the possibility of another one . Now we have the proof that Picasso, in fact, owned a black masked red Afghan named Kazbec.
The artist’s way of life and style ( Post-Cubist life ) is suggested to be determined by five factors:
- 1- The woman whom he was in love with at that time ( It’s said that his ways changed when he had different companions )
- 2- The poets who served as a catalyst ( Picasso used to say that he was going to be known as the Poet who dabbled in painting, drawing and sculpture!)
- 3- The place where he lived ( He loved his houses )
- 4- His close friends and- I quote Art critic, John Richardson’s :
- 5-" The dog who was his inseparable companion and sometimes figured in the iconography of his work…" ( Attached is a picture of -what I believe is - Kabul and a VERY impressive circle of "friends" )
Picasso Standing In The Centre With An Older Kasbec Or Possibly Another Afghan
I’m not trying by all means, to portrait myself as a Picasso or an Arts connoisseur. I’m just intrigued by a genius who happened to have one thing in common with me! The privilege of the Afghan Hound companionship.
Now, don’t you think that Picasso created the 40+ ton. sculpture in homage or at least having in mind :
- A. His women ( OK, for those of you who believe it is a woman, I see the "hair like" waves, the softness and the curves )
- B. His friends ( represented by the figure of the dog, evoking loyalty companionship ) and,
- C. His beloved Afghan Hounds ( I see the top knot, the years, the prominent occiput , the long skull, the so unique Afghan way of "camel like" lying down, with it’s front legs bent under the body, the slightly slanted eyes, gazing into the distance as if in memory of ages past… now, is the sculpture facing … EAST!? )
The intense, volatile, brilliant artist, revolutionary painter, writer, sculptor, collector, poet, illustrator, the Master of the new idea, father, lover, friend was also, like us common mortals, an Afghan Hound lover and admirer…
Luiz F. K. Aoki Luaok.stenara@cwix.com
Cerveto Of Khorrassan
2. Batina Picasso And Afghan Hounds
By Steve Tillotson
My thanks to Luiz Aoki for the fascinating note and super photographs above. I originally posted the following photo about three years ago, and at that time was totally unaware that Pablo Picasso had any involvement with Afghans. It seems fitting then to combine my original note regarding his Grandaughter Betina and Afghans with the new one from Luiz
I was fortunate to spend some time with Eileen Snelling (Khorrassan Afghans UK) before she passed on and able to view her extensive photograph collection. Eileen was especially proud of her imports overseas and in particular one to Italy - to Picasso's Grandaughter Betina. Shown below is Betina with Cerveto Of Khorrassan in the mid 1950's. Cerveto eventually become an Italian Champion.
Steve Tillotson
101451.505@compuserve.com