a mermaid and Picasso

I've never been a particular admirer of Picasso's works (although I can see this changing slowly). If anybody asked me, I wouldn't have allowed him to touch the sacred topic of the Warsaw mermaid. Nobody asked me, though and we ended up with... this:

 OK, I admit it could have been worse. You can still tell it's a mermaid. You can even recognize the attributes of the Warsaw's mermaid: a shield and a hammer - - wait, what?? a hammer? Shouldn't it be a sword?

Yes, it should, but modern times call for modern attributes. Picasso drew this mermaid in 1948, when he was visiting Poland for the World Congress of Intelectuals in Defense of Peace. He visited Wrocław and Warszawa. He was immensly impressed with the rebuild and reconstrution effort that was taking place here at the time. While visiting a brand new flat in a new residential area in the Koło district, he grabbed a piece of coal and drew this modern mermaid on a wall. A determined, communist mermaid, who not only protects – she also participates in building of the new better world.

The mural didn't last long. The young couple who came to be residents of the said flat grew tired of pilgrimages of Picasso's fans and art lovers. Eventually they managed to obtain a permission to renovate the room, and painted over the mural.

The one which I'm presenting here is a reproduction on another Warsaw house which was honoured with Picasso's visit. At the time, this villa in Saska Kępa housed the main office of the Association of Polish Artists and Designers. Here the members met Picasso and had lunch together.

More Warsaw mermaids to be found on my Facebook Warsaw page.