Picasso’s glass goat is bought by museum
SCOTLAND’S national museum has bought a rare piece of glasswork by one of the biggest names in art history, Pablo Picasso.
The work, entitled Capra, is an abstract take on a slumbering goat.
It is made from black, white and iridescent glass and was bought by National Museums Scotland for £22,500.
It is Picasso’s ‘proof’ of the piece – a term referring to the working version or first of a limited edition of original pieces. They are often kept by the artist themselves or gifted to the craftsmen with whom they collaborated.
The sculpture was designed by the Spanish artist in 1954 and manufactured by the Italian glassmaker Egidio Costantini, founder of Fucina degli Angeli in Venice.
It will go on display in one of 10 new galleries opening next year at the National Museum of Scotland.
Rose Watban, senior curator of modern and contemporary ar t and design at National Museums Scotland said: “This rare and important glass sculpture has a luminous, reflective quality which gives it a certain depth and changeability.
“Glass by Picasso rarely comes on to the market so I am delighted we have acquired this piece for our new art and design galleries, which open next year.”
Picasso and Costantini met in 954, and their working relationship began when the American art collector Peggy Guggenheim invited Picasso to Venice.
Capra will go on display in 2016 in Making and Creating, a gallery exploring the techniques and creative inspirations behind finished works.
Making and Creating will showcase highlights of National Museums Scotland’s decorative art collections produced since 1940.