Picasso’s Progeny: Masterpieces, MoMA, and American Modernism

Harvard Extension School

HARC E-204

Section 1

CRN 26990

View Course Details
Spanish-born artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) enlarged the scope and transformed the character of every medium he addressed during his long professional career. Studies continue on how and why he continues to be regarded as the single most important artist of the twentieth century, with deepening understanding of the complex texture and breadth of his achievement. This course focuses on specific examples of his groundbreaking progeny—works of art that endure as inspiring, innovative statements—and the continuing attention they attract. These include paintings like Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907), Three Musicians (1925), Guernica (1937), and The Joy of Life (1946), but also more personal works like Family of Saltimbanques (1905), Portrait of Gertrude Stein (1906), Man and Sheep (1943), and The Bull (1946). Painting was Picasso's most sustained medium and acts as our dominant focus, but sculpture and printmaking also yielded major masterpieces, as even this short list shows. Considered also are ways Picasso extended his reach beyond the studio, from involving his art in contemporary politics as well as theater and music, to encouraging interest among modernist groups beyond France. We look at American artists inspired by his work, such as Stuart Davis, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns, as well as the important part played by the young Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Instructor Info

Mary Crawford-Volk, PhD


Meeting Info

M 5:10pm - 7:10pm (1/26 - 5/16)

Participation Option: Online Synchronous

Deadlines

Last day to register: January 22, 2026

Additional Time Commitments

Optional sections to be arranged.

Notes

This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. See minimum technology requirements.

All Sections of this Course

CRN Section # Participation Option(s) Instructor Section Status Meets Term Dates
26990 1 Online Synchronous Mary Crawford-Volk Open M 5:10pm - 7:10pm
Jan 26 to May 16