Picasso with his wife Olga
Olga Khokhlova, the name is closely related to the name of the world-famous painter Pablo Picasso. Some people adored her, even to the point of obsession.
Olga Khokhlova, who has been Picasso's muse for 10 years, initiated the great artist to create a large number of masterpieces, and even persuaded Picasso to change the carrier of creativity, hoping to see the painter's realistic image, rather than the angular form inherent in Cubism. Some argue that thanks to the Russian ballerina, Picasso's work has taken on a new direction; others accuse her of turning a freedom-loving genius into a secular playboy, arguing that she does not understand or love Picasso's work. Let's take a look at the story of this Russian ballerina.
Young and beautiful Olga
Olga Khokhlova's early experiences
Olga Khokhlova was born in 1891 to a family of Russian officers. Olga learned foreign languages, etiquette, female popularity and music from an early age. Olga watched Madame Schrey perform in France and began dreaming of becoming a ballet dancer herself. Although her parents did not support her daughter's desire to become a ballet dancer, Olga enrolled in a private ballet school in St. Petersburg (which produced many well-known ballet dancers such as Anna Pavlova, Yulia Sedova, Lyubov Yegorova, etc.).
In 1910, a new opportunity came. Sergei Diagilev decided to create the Ballet of Russia, and he chose Olga, hoping to join his ballet career. Olga was just a student at the time.
Olga with boss Sergey
In 1911, Olga, who had never performed on a professional stage, left his hometown with the troupe. Although she has not yet become principal ballet dancer, the owner Sergey admires her diligence very much. In 1916, some of the troupe's actors went to South America to perform, while Olga remained in Rome. These random events led to Olga's first meeting with her future husband, Pablo Picasso.
Picasso on stage with Olga
Married to Picasso
In 1917, the ballet troupe performed in Paris. Olga plays a role in it. Sergei invited a series of talented composers, choreographers, decorators and a host of other celebrities to watch the premiere, including the famous painter Picasso. During the rehearsal, Picasso noticed Olga on the stage, and his eyes could no longer be removed, which was love at first sight. After that, Picasso began a long and sustained pursuit of Olga. Olga is introverted and not so easily conquered. However, Picasso still succeeded, and he proposed to Olga. The marriage registration of the two was held at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, and the wedding was held at olga's insistence in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in accordance with all Orthodox traditions.
Olga (left) and Picasso (center), 1917
Picasso had many women in his life, but the artist was not keen on marriage, he was only married twice in his life, and Olga became Picasso's first wife. Picasso's mother once said, "No woman can live happily with her son, they are too enthusiastic about Picasso." Olga has a quiet and withdrawn personality, while Picasso is known for his explosiveness and expressiveness. But in the face of love, all this seems to be a thing.
After the wedding, the couple moved to a mansion in the heart of Paris. Olga decorated the mansion herself and carved out a studio for her husband on the second floor. Olga's graceful manners and good upbringing pleased Picasso, which he lacked himself. In a letter to a friend, Picasso wrote that he was impressed by his wife's wisdom and calmness, which was much more difficult than the ability to dance. Olga transformed her husband from an artist surrounded by obscure models into a respected member of society who was welcomed at any social event.
Picasso and Olga and his wife
Olga period
After the artist married Olga, Picasso changed a lot in his creative style. He abandoned Cubism and his works began to enter the neoclassical period. This is largely due to the wife's desire to "recognize her face" in the painting. Many modern researchers refer to this period of Picasso's work as the "Olga period." Inspired by Olga's love, Picasso depicts the portrait of his wife in the form of an ancient goddess.
In 1919, Olga received news from her hometown that her brother had died, that her father and two other brothers had joined the revolutionary movement, and that her mother and sister were on the brink of poverty. These tragic news greatly affected Olga's mood, which is also reflected in Picasso's paintings. At this time, Olga in the painting looks haggard and detached, and there is a clear expression of longing in his eyes ("Considerate Olga").
Considerate woman Olga
In 1921, the couple's lives changed and their son Paul was born. From that moment on, Olga fully entered the role of mother while becoming the muse of her artist husband. Inspired by the birth of a child, Picasso opened up a new direction of creativity – immortalism. During this period, the feminine image of mother and child appeared on Picasso's canvas, and the female body in the painting became larger and larger. Meanwhile, Picasso was designing ballets for the Russian ballet troupe, and Olga had quit the ballet because of childbirth.
Picasso's paintings about Olga
Separation from husband
Olga's original family lived in misfortune: her father disappeared, and her mother began to gradually lose her mind, pleading with her daughter in a letter to tell her about the pleasant things in life. Olga shared the story about Paul and her husband's paintings, hoping to give her mother some spiritual comfort, but her mother died soon after. Olga stopped all contact with her family. These unfortunate events left a deep imprint on Olga's soul. This situation also affected Olga's happy family. Picasso began to feel the change in his wife, began to tire of family life, and felt that he was oppressed by his wife. Olga, who had been calm and rational, lost restraint and felt the indifference of her husband, and the greater part was the pain of losing contact with her family.
This unpleasant period in Picasso's and Olga's family life is also reflected in the artist's paintings: Olga's realistic image is being replaced by surrealist paintings. In these paintings, Olga, once fragile and gentle, is depicted as a monster with broken limbs and an aggressive facial expression (see Picasso's Red Armchair and Woman with a Mink Collar). It's hard to imagine how Olga felt when he saw her husband's paintings.
Olga in Picasso's paintings
In 1927, a tougher test came for Olga: Picasso met Marie Therese Walter, who became Picasso's mistress and new goddess of inspiration. After Olga discovered her husband's betrayal, their relationship lasted another 6 years until Picasso's new muse gave birth to his daughter. Since Picasso did not want to share his property with his wife, they did not formally divorce, but they had little relationship with each other anymore. Olga and her son Paul moved to the south of France and lived alone. Olga's friends with Picasso were on the side of the artist, accusing Olga of being overly jealous and insane; forcing Picasso to live a secular life that was incompatible with him. The son Paul grew older, but he also became closer to his father, Picasso.
Picasso's granddaughter Marina
The end of life
At the end of Olga's life, only her granddaughter Marina remains with the lonely Olga. In 2001, Marina Picasso published her memoir, Grandfather, which tells the story of the plight of everyone who entered Picasso's circle of life.
Olga Khokhlova died of cancer in 1955. Until the last day of her life, Olga wanted to see her ex-husband. But Picasso seems to have forgotten her. Picasso once said, "Every time you change women, forget the last one." That's how I got rid of them. Perhaps, this makes my youth come back. ”
Olga, 1920
Although the couple's story ends with a sad breakup, no one can deny the influence of this Russian beauty on the artist Picasso, the only woman who has dedicated the most paintings to the great artist Picasso, and even changed the direction of Picasso's work!