When preparing for an exhibition about Pablo Picasso, experts at the Guggenheim museum in New York suddenly discovered an image of a dog hidden in a painting.
The painting “Le Moulin de la Galette” by Pablo Picasso, with the black streak in the bottom corner is a brushstroke to hide the image of a dog. (Photo: New York Times).
The exhibition “Picasso youth in Paris” took place at the Guggenheim museum on May 19, displaying 10 works painted by the Spanish artist when he arrived in Paris in 1900. Among these is the painting “Le” Moulin de la Galette” depicts a famous ballroom in Paris.
When preparing for the exhibition, museum experts used X-ray fluorescence scanners and discovered something unusual in the lower corner of the painting: An image of a dog hidden behind a dark paint streak , according to CNN.
Experts believe this to be the Spanish Cavalier King Charles , also known as the Horseman , named after King Charles II of Spain.
Experts used fluorescent X-rays to analyze the painting and discovered the image of a dog wearing a red ribbon hidden behind the paint. (Photo: CNN).
Julie Barten, curator of paintings at the Guggenheim museum, says she’s not sure why Picasso painted the paint to hide the dog. She said that the artist born in 1881 found the dog to create a certain “charismatic” and could overshadow the dance, which is the main composition in the painting.
“I find it very interesting when he draws hasty strokes to overlap the dog. This can be a rather interesting aspect of the composition,” Ms. Barten said.
Megan Fontanella, curator of the museum, said it was unexpected and interesting when they discovered the dog hidden behind the painting, the New York Times reported.
“When we started to analyze the painting, we didn’t think we would find something as interesting and fascinating as this,” Ms. Fontanella said.