Narrator: Can you tell what this sculpture is made of?
Most artists carved or molded sculptures from solid, heavy materials like stone, or clay or wood. But Picasso cut a sheet of metal to make this guitar. It doesn’t look exactly like a real guitar. But the way he arranged all the pieces allows us to see one. What do you think this guitar would sound like? Maybe this?
Narrator: Look at the round tube in the middle. On a real guitar, this is where the sound hole is. But this hole is actually a metal tube, and it sticks out instead of in! It’s as if Picasso turned part of the guitar inside out!
When people first saw this they were confused. If it’s a sculpture, why is it hanging on the wall? Just what was this? Picasso answered simply: “It is el guitar – The Guitar!”
Look around this gallery—can you find any other musical instruments? Imagine what sounds you might hear if they were played!