Art enthusiasts recently had the rare opportunity to discover Pablo Picasso's masterworks at the Château du Boisgeloup in Gisors, Eure, the very location where the legendary artist lived and worked between 1930 and 1937. The exceptional exhibition, titled "Boisgeloup, Picasso's Arcadia," has just concluded after offering visitors an intimate journey through the artist's creative sanctuary.
The château, which normally remains closed to the public, came alive during several consecutive weekends as visitors pushed through the doors of the estate that served as a true haven of peace for the internationally renowned painter. This approximately 25-acre domain allowed guests to discover sculptures and engravings installed in the exact locations where they were originally created, including the former stables and garage.
The exhibition particularly highlighted Picasso's embrace of sculpture during his time at Boisgeloup. The stables, transformed into a vast workshop, provided him with the necessary space and light to work on large-scale pieces. It was here that he created his first major series of sculptures, drawing inspiration from Etruscan art and utilizing materials found on the property, such as wood and studio frames.
Exhibition mediator Gabrielle Beeckmans, who posed with the château staff during the event, explained the fundamental importance of this location for Picasso's work. "This château gave him a framework to experiment with large-scale projects, as he did here with his sculptures. He even found that the cold weather stimulated his creativity," she noted. Visitors were able to observe how Picasso documented his work by photographing his creations from different angles, a practice that allowed him to analyze the evolution of his pieces.
The Château du Boisgeloup served not only as a workspace but also as a living space and meeting place for Pablo Picasso. He welcomed his family and friends there, maintaining a close circle that included essential figures such as gallery owner Daniel-Henri Kahnweiler and writer Michel Leiris. The presence of his loved ones, particularly his muse Marie-Thérèse Walter, is palpable throughout the works from this period.
The exhibited engravings demonstrated the intimate relationship between Picasso's personal life and his artistic production, with Marie-Thérèse's face appearing constantly in his creations. The exhibition tour also highlighted the importance of the artist's collaborations, notably with sculptor Julio González, showcasing how these professional relationships influenced his creative output during his time at the Norman estate.
The exhibition concluded on October 5th, having provided art lovers with an unprecedented glimpse into one of the most productive periods of Picasso's career. The unique setting allowed visitors to experience the artist's work in its original context, offering insights into both his creative process and the personal relationships that shaped his artistic vision during those transformative years in Normandy.
