The Fall of Icarus mural - Pablo Picasso in Paris

Pablo Picasso was one of 11 artists invited to decorate the walls of the newly-built UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) building was officially opened on 3 November 1958, and Picasso commenced his contribution in December 1957.

Picasso painted a large acrylic mural called “The Fall of Icarus” – La chute d’lcare – for the foyer. He initially called it “The Forces of Life and the Spirit Triumphing over Evil.” It is his largest work, comprising 40 wooden panels measuring 910 x 1060 centimetres (30 x 35 feet).

The gold-plated sign says: PABLO PICASSO 1881 – 1973 (SPAIN) “La chute d’Icare” Acrylic on wood (1958).

Pablo Picasso did not sign “The Fall of Icarus.”

When Picasso was away from Paris, construction began on a concrete bridge-way in the foyer, right in front of his painting. This bridge-way blocked the expansive view of his large masterpiece. He was not happy about this and refused to sign his autograph on the painting.

MARTINA NICOLLS

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Martina Nicolls is an author and international human rights-based consultant in education, healing and wellbeing, peace and stabilisation, and foreign aid audits and evaluations.

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