Carles Casagemas
In connection with, or soon after, his first solo exhibition at the principal meeting place of the Barcelona avant-garde, the bohemian tavern Els Quatre Gats, Picasso made a set of small caricatures of the prominent members of the informal club.
Casagemas (1880–1901), the son of the American consul general in Barcelona, was a year older than Picasso, his best friend. A painter and poet, he accompanied Picasso to Paris to visit the World's Fair in autumn 1900. There, he fell in love with Laure Gargallo, known as Germaine, who ultimately spurned his affections. In despair, Casagemas committed suicide on February 17, 1901, after first attempting to kill Germaine. Picasso was already back in Barcelona by that time but was deeply affected by the news. Nevertheless, when he returned to Paris in May 1901, he took up residence in Casagemas's former apartment and began a liaison with Germaine. Later in 1901, Picasso painted two large compositions and several small studies inspired by Casagemas's suicide. Germaine appears next to Picasso in At the Lapin Agile, (MMA 1992.39.
Casagemas (1880–1901), the son of the American consul general in Barcelona, was a year older than Picasso, his best friend. A painter and poet, he accompanied Picasso to Paris to visit the World's Fair in autumn 1900. There, he fell in love with Laure Gargallo, known as Germaine, who ultimately spurned his affections. In despair, Casagemas committed suicide on February 17, 1901, after first attempting to kill Germaine. Picasso was already back in Barcelona by that time but was deeply affected by the news. Nevertheless, when he returned to Paris in May 1901, he took up residence in Casagemas's former apartment and began a liaison with Germaine. Later in 1901, Picasso painted two large compositions and several small studies inspired by Casagemas's suicide. Germaine appears next to Picasso in At the Lapin Agile, (MMA 1992.39.
Artwork Details
- Title: Carles Casagemas
- Artist: Pablo Picasso (Spanish, Malaga 1881–1973 Mougins, France)
- Date: 1900
- Medium: Pen and brown ink and matte translucent paint on paper
- Dimensions: 4 1/8 × 3 1/8 in. (10.5 × 7.9 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Gift of Raymonde Paul, in memory of her brother, C. Michael Paul, 1982
- Object Number: 1982.179.19
- Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
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