Pablo Picasso, The Soup
Pablo Picasso, The Soup, 1903. Oil on canvas, 38.5 x 46 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Gift of Margaret Dunlap Crang, 1983. 83/316. © Picasso Estate / SOCAN (2021).
In 1901, Pablo Picasso began painting images of poor people. Feeling sad, he painted with deep shades of blue and green for the next few years. That’s why this painting looks ‘cold’, except for the hot, steaming bowl of soup the person gives to the child, showing warmth and kindness in an otherwise gloomy scene. What colours would you use?
The artwork, entitled The Soup, is part of the exhibition Pablo Picasso: Painting the Blue Period (on view at the AGO from October 6, 2021 to January 16, 2022). While sketching is not permitted in the exhibition, please enjoy this activity card before or after you visit the AGO.
ACTIVITY
Food in Art
Food is a common theme in many works of art.
- List all the foods you see throughout the galleries on your visit today.
- What food from this list would you provide for a nourishing meal for someone in need?
- Imagine you are preparing your favourite meal for someone. Compose a picture of it.
Draw (or colour) your favourite meal.
- If you have access to a printer, print the activity card and colour in the line drawing.
- If you do not have access to a printer, explore food in art, using pen, pencil and a blank piece of paper.
What does your final composition look like? What would you try if you did it again? Share it with us at #AGOmakes @AGOToronto