Picasso drew Einstein's theory of relativity?

In just over two years, Albert Einstein invented the theory of relativity that completely overturned the standards of physics. And Pablo Picasso created the school of stereoscopic painting that changed every modern painting criterion.One can wonder why a famous artist and a genius physicist has a way of describing the reality of the world so alike even though they don't know each other?

In May 1905, at the Office of the Recognition of Patents in the City of Berne of Belgium, a young German physicist completed the defense of his invention of electrodynamics of moving objects. In July 1907, at his studio in Montmartre, Paris (France), a 26-year-old Spanish painter completed his final drawing on the painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (commonly known by the name "Avignon long-haired girl ").

"The long-distance girl Avignon '1907 (Photo: acsu.buffalo.edu)

Arthur Miller, a professor of history and philosophy at London University explains: 'According to me, Picasso and Einstein have come up with the question of the nature of space and time, a central issue in discussions. science at that time. And every person in my field offers a similar answer. '

Picasso inspired writing directly from Einstein after this physicist announced his invention? This question is not now new, but it has been architect Siegfried Giedion and historical house.

Arthur Miller, an American professor of history and philosophy (photo by physicsweb.org) art Paul Laporte and American co- founder from the 40s of the twentieth century. But it was not until 1971, Linda Henderson, an art historian at Austin University in Texas (USA), pointed out that: Due to the lack of mass media in France at that time in the United States, the time when Picasso painted Les Demoiselles d'Avignon in France could not reach Einstein's theory of relativity. So, Linda Henderson thinks that Einstein's theory has no real impact on French artists before the 20s of the twentieth century.

However, for Arthur Miller, relativism and cubism have an intimate relationship. Although personality, Einstein and Picasso have many similarities: The same ability to create, relate to famous classical characters near that time (painter Paul Cézane to Picasso, physicist Hendrick Lorentz with Einstein) . and the same conflict with women, but such similarities cannot form a connection. This historian points out a much more compelling relationship between Picasso and Einstein, although this relationship is only indirect. It is both possible to be influenced by Henri Poincaré and his famous book entitled Science and assumed to be released in 1902.

Arthur Miller argued that Maurice Princet, a man who especially admired modern mathematicians and a member of Picasso's group, could very well influence Poincaré's doctrine to Picasso. Because these two had met in 1905 through Princet's wife, Alice Géry. Alice Géry has a close relationship with Picasso. In the spring of 1907, Princet visited Picasso's studio when he was painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Therefore, it is possible that Picasso fully understood what Princet said about Euclid geometry and about the fourth dimension in mathematics. On the other hand, Princet is well aware of Poincaré's Science and assumption.

Einstein (left) and Picasso (right) (Photo: pbs.org)

After two years working at the Picasso Museum in Paris, Arthur Miller discovered the name Maurice Pricet appeared three times in the Picasso personal book during the period from May to June 1907, proving that Princet was at the workshop. Picasso paintings in this period of painting are painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon . Moreover, it was Picasso's relative André Salmon who confirmed the presence of Princet at the painting studio of this artist at that time. He added: They also debated a lot about the Wednesday afternoon and also considered Poincaré's book. From here, Arthur Miller asserts: 'Just as Poincaré's views on space and simultaneous origination of Einstein's theory of relativity, the concepts of dimensions in space recounted by Princet helped Picasso has the inspiration to create stereoscopic paintings'.

Guided by mathematical theories by Poincaré, physicist Einstein and Picasso developed the same problem that is simultaneous - the simultaneous time for Einstein and bronze.

Stephen Brush historian professor (Photo: aip.org)

space time for Picasso. Both seek an absolute physical expression. While painting and classical physics are tied to three-dimensional space according to Euclid's doctrine, both Picasso and Einstein reject this way of expression because according to them, lines, positions, speed, time. of an object depends on the perspective of the observer. Therefore, according to them, the only way to objectively express objects is to ignore all standards that limit fulcrum and need to take into account different views at the same time.

However, according to Stephen Brush, a professor at the University of Maryland, USA, Arthur Miller 's inferences are quite offensive, since it is impossible to know how much Picasso was influenced by Poincaré' s doctrine. Evidence of the birth of Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is also quite vague.

And Linda Henderson seems more pessimistic: 'If Picasso's invention is influenced by scientific ideas, then perhaps the invention must involve X-rays, radiation, atomic theory, for all. these indicate that the reality of this world is invisible '.

So far, it is difficult to have more explanations around this controversial issue. There is only one problem that has not been mentioned yet in Poincaré's speech in 1904 at the global exhibition at Sait Louis, this mathematician predicted the world at that time was facing a major change. And indeed, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso themselves convinced the world that art and science are the best ways to explore the human world.

Nguyen Phuong