The Love Affair: Marie-Thérèse and Picasso
Marie-Thérèse Walter, circa 1930. Photographer unknown. Photo: © Archives Maya Widmaier-Picasso
Picasso fell in love in the summer of 1932. Not with his erratic and unstable wife Olga, a Russian ballerina, but with Marie-Thérèse Walter, a young woman of 17. (1909-1977). The early years of Marie-Thérèse Walter's life are not well known. Many people are curious about the life she led and the experiences she shared with Pablo Picasso before her untimely death given the 28-year age difference between them. In Juan-les-Pins, South of France, on October 20, 1977. On January 8, 1927, as the sun was setting in Paris, Pablo Picasso was passing by a chic department store when he noticed a young customer. The artist, who was then unhappy with his marriage and in his mid-forties, was completely infatuated and said to Marie-Thérèse Walter, "I'm Picasso! Together, you and I are going to accomplish a lot. The man baffled her, and she had no idea who he might be. When Picasso first approached her, he dragged her into a bookstore and showed her a book that had images of his works. This marked the start of Picasso's passionate relationship and very prolific time.
Picasso, Marie-Thérèse, 1928
She convinced her family she had got a job in the city while Marie-Thérèse Walter started to spend every day in Paris with Picasso. After first expressing resistance, her mother and sisters eventually learned about the couple and soon became accepting of Marie-Thérèse Walter's connection with Picasso. Even Picasso would occasionally paint in her mother's garden, where they would spend time together. Olga was unaware of Marie-Thérèse Walter's infidelity until it was far too late because she was already understandably envious and wary owing to Picasso's numerous prior transgressions. During this time, Picasso had to strike a balance between his growing romantic relationship with Marie-Thérèse Walter and his family, including his wife and kid. Marie-Thérèse Walter frequently appeared his paintings in mysterious and coded ways. Portraits of Walter were initially displayed in 1932 at the Galerie Georges Petit at the first comprehensive Picasso exhibition. Picasso reportedly remarked that "Painting is just another way of keeping a diary" and that Following the stages through the women he loved is one way to comprehend his work, as abstract as it may appear. She appears as fruit in a bowl or a guitar in the early images. This shift in his demeanor offers a hint as to who she is.
Portrait of Marie-Thérèse Walter painted by Picasso 1932 in his ‘year of wonders’. She is immersed in her work, which reminds me of a secret meeting between the artist and his most cherished inspiration. Picasso emphasizes her purity and freshness in this painting, showing her calmly writing down her thoughts. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤOn the Marne River in 1933, Marie-Thérèse Walter nearly drowned. Picasso found this to be traumatizing, and as a response, he created a number of works that include water nymphs. When Olga learned that Marie-Thérèse Walter was expecting their child in 1934, she started the divorce process. On September 5th, 1935, their daughter Maria de la Concepcion "Maya" was born. She was given the name Conchita after Picasso's cherished and late sister. Picasso first met Dora Maar two months after Maya was born, and they quickly began dating.
Picasso spent the weekends with Marie-Thérèse Walter and Maya in Le Tremblay-sur-Mauldre for the following three years while spending the weeks in Paris with Dora, whom he saw as more of an intellectual equal. When Olga passed away, Picasso called Marie-Thérèse Walter and proposed to her. She denied and the two never spoke again. A life without Picasso was too much for Marie-Thérèse Walter she committed suicide in 1977, four years after Picasso's passing.
Picasso spent the weekends with Marie-Thérèse Walter and Maya in Le Tremblay-sur-Mauldre for the following three years while spending the weeks in Paris with Dora, whom he saw as more of an intellectual equal. When Olga passed away, Picasso called Marie-Thérèse Walter and proposed to her. She denied and the two never spoke again. A life without Picasso was too much for Marie-Thérèse Walter she committed suicide in 1977, four years after Picasso's passing.
Picasso's Collection
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment!
More from:
Picasso
Leave a comment