Although Picasso’s La Damoiselle’s d’ Avignon and Robert Colescott’s La Damoiselle’s d’Alabama come off as very similar works, they also have many differences. Some of these differences are more obvious while others may take the viewer awhile to search out. Behind these differences are reasons as to why the artists painted the work in that certain way. The most obvious difference between the two works is the different color schemes.
Picasso uses a lighter; more pastel color scheme while Colescott uses more vibrant and bold colors. For example, the fruit looks cold, and un-edible in the painting by Picasso, but ripe and fresh in Colescott’s painting. Several differences in the works revolve around the women in the paintings. Picasso’s women are unclothed while Colescott’s women are clothed. The expressions of the women are also different. Picasso’s women appear uncomfortable and unhappy.
Some women in his piece are even wearing masks. Colescott’s women on the other hand are relaxed and flirty. Colescott also has a mixed race of women while Picasso only included Caucasian women. The background issues of the artists include Picasso’s study of tribal masks, which influenced his use of masks in this piece of artwork and Colescott’s love for re-imagining famous art works. The time periods of the two pieces also sets them apart.
With all pieces of artwork the viewer must look more in depth to find the message the author is trying to convey. Although the works are similar, each painting shows it’s own importance and unique meanings. Works Cited “Picasso’s Les Demoiselles D’Avignon. ” Les Demoiselles D’Avignon. N. p. , n. d. Web. 05 Feb. 2013. “Pablo Picasso. ” Les Demoiselles D’Avignon by. N. p. , n. d. Web. 05 Feb. 2013. PBS. PBS, n. d. Web. 05 Feb. 2013.
