Fifty feet tall and weighing 162 tons. That’s the Chicago Picasso. A colossal presence dominating Daley Plaza.
This isn’t just any sculpture. This is Pablo Picasso’s gift to Chicago. Commissioned in 1963 by the architects of the Richard J Daley Center it was unveiled on August 15 1967. It stands as the city’s first major public artwork in its downtown. It’s become a landmark.
The story of its creation is fascinating. Picasso worked for years. He combined motifs from earlier works creating a 42-inch maquette a model for the final sculpture. You can see that maquette today at the Art Institute of Chicago. He refused payment calling it a gift to the city. The actual cost was $351959.17 a sum covered mostly by charitable foundations.
Initially the reception was far from celebratory. Many criticized it. Some even proposed replacing it with a statue of Ernie Banks the Chicago Cubs legend. Others weren’t kind either. The city councilman John Hoellen immediately proposed replacing it with a statue of Chicago Cubs baseball great Ernie Banks. A giant pickle was even erected on the site as a publicity stunt.
However over time Chicagoans embraced this giant enigmatic work. It became one of the city’s unofficial symbols. It stands alongside the John Hancock Center Soldier Field and the Art Institute lions.
What does it represent? That’s the enduring mystery. Some say it’s the head of Picasso’s Afghan hound Kabul. Others suggest it’s a baboon head or even a portrait of Sylvette David one of Picasso’s models. Perhaps it’s a little of all these things. The ambiguity adds to its charm.
Today Daley Plaza is alive with activity around the Picasso. Farmers’ markets musical performances and other events make it a vibrant hub. People climb on it. They use it as a meeting place. It’s a testament to the evolution of public art and Chicago’s unique spirit. It became and continues to be a well-known meeting spot for Chicagoans. Depending on the season and time of the month there are musical performances farmers’ markets and other Chicago affairs which are held around the Picasso in Daley Plaza. The Chicago Picasso transformed from a controversial newcomer into a beloved city icon. It proves that even the most unexpected art can find a home and a heart in an open-minded city.