“Untitled” says it all does it not? The Chicago Picasso stands before us. It is more than just artwork. It has become one of Chicago’s most famous sculptures and beloved icons.
The Chicago Picasso stands 50 feet tall. It weighs over 160 tons. The sculpture anchors the plaza on the east side of the Richard J. Daley Center. The architects commissioned Pablo Picasso in 1963 to create the sculpture. They wanted a monumental sculpture for their plaza.
Most public art in large cities at this time was calm. It mainly depicted historical figures. But the 1960s brought change. Architecture in American cities began to reflect the many cultural and modern changes.
Picasso worked on this commission for two years. He combined and modified sketches from his earlier works. This resulted in a 42-inch tall model of the sculpture. You can see the model and sketches at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Chicago Picasso is built of Cor-Ten steel. This is the same material as the exterior of the Daley Center. The U.S. Steel Company in Gary Indiana assembled it. Thousands gathered in Daley Plaza on August 15 1967. They came to witness the unveiling of the city’s newest piece of public art.
Picasso gave the sculpture as a gift to the people of Chicago. He never explained what the sculpture was intended to represent. This adds to its mystique doesn’t it?