Medicine After Death: Is Françoise Gilot Finally Getting Her ‘Deserved’ Recognition in Art History?

The art world is abuzz with the reevaluation of Françoise Gilot’s contributions to modern art, a recognition that many argue is long overdue. Gilot, who passed away at the age of 101, is experiencing a posthumous renaissance, as her work is finally being appreciated beyond the shadow of her relationship with Pablo Picasso.

The facts

Françoise Gilot was not just a muse to Picasso; she was an accomplished artist in her own right. Her career spanned over seven decades, during which she created a body of work that delved into mythology, symbolism, and the power of memory.

Her art is showcased in more than a dozen leading museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

For years, Gilot’s artistic identity was eclipsed by her association with Picasso. However, recent efforts by art historians and institutions are shifting the focus to her achievements. The Picasso Museum’s decision to include her work in their gallery reflects a concerted effort to give Gilot her rightful place in art history.

Gilot’s legacy is now being redefined, highlighting her role as a pivotal figure in the post-war milieu of artists who redefined the European artistic landscape. Her explorations and transitions as an artist demonstrate how the vitality of tradition can be maintained while moving forward into uncharted territories.

In a bid to grant Gilot the acknowledgement she rightfully deserves, the Picasso Museum is set to unveil an exhibition room solely dedicated to her artistic legacy.

Encompassing the entirety of Gilot’s career, the exhibition will showcase a diverse array of her works, ranging from her early collaborations with the Réalités Nouvelles group—an assembly of Parisian abstract artists established in the late 1930s—to her expansive totemic compositions of the 1980s.

The arguments

The question of whether Françoise Gilot is receiving her ‘deserved’ recognition in art history can now be answered affirmatively.

As her work gains prominence and her story is told without the overshadowing presence of Picasso, Gilot’s place in the annals of art history is firmly established.

Françoise Gilot’s posthumous recognition is a testament to her enduring artistic vision and the evolving understanding of women’s roles in the history of art. Her newfound recognition is a corrective to the historical oversight and a celebration of her unique contributions to the art world.

Advocates argue that Gilot’s work deserves recognition independent of her association with Picasso and the museum’s decision to dedicate a room to her art is seen as a step towards acknowledging her contributions on their own merits.

By showcasing Gilot’s works, some view the museum as redressing past wrongs and giving Gilot the spotlight she deserves.

Others also argue that the inclusion of Gilot’s works is also part of a broader movement towards gender equity in the art world. It further represents a growing recognition of the need to celebrate female artists who have historically been marginalised.

On the other hand, some art enthusiasts believe that the Picasso Museum is a sacred space dedicated to preserving and honouring the legacy of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and introducing Gilot’s works risks diluting the museum’s focus and deviating from its primary mission.