Picasso, Chagall, Healthy and Pathological Narcissism
If any 5 of the following are present a person is considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be NPD – Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Has an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Has a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
Expects to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
Exaggerates achievements and talents
Is preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
Believes he is superior and can only associate with equally special people
Monopolizes conversations and belittles or look down on people he perceives as inferior
Expects special favors and unquestioning compliance with his expectations
Takes advantage of others to get what he wants
Has an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others due to a lack of empathy.
Is envious of others and believe others envy him
Behaves in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
Insists on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office
Chagall With Bella his bride – they are flying!
Now let’s look at Chagall and Picasso and the women in their lives.
There were four significant women in Chagall’s life.
His mother. As a child Chagall was bathed in love. His father worked long hours and almost was an absentee father. Chagall and his mother were together. His healthy narcissism developed in her love which he internalized until it became part of his sense of who he was. This stayed with him and sustained him the rest of his life. In his autobiography (which he wrote when he was 36! How’s that for narcissism). If I have made pictures it is because I remember my mother, her breasts which have warmly nourished and exalted me, and I am ready to hang on the moon.
Bella, whom he met in high school, married, and stayed with until she died, abruptly of a streptococcal infection, while they were vacationing in the Adirondacks. They had one child, Ada. He went into mourning that lasted several years. Here is Chagall in love
Virginia McNeil. He then met Virginia who was brought into his life as a housekeeper by his daughter. They were together for seven years and had one child together, David. Virginia left Chagall for a photographer because“He only wanted to paint. He wanted me to do everything else.” This is a painting when he was in his 20’s. According to Hassidic lore, a person born with 6 fingers is very adept at whatever he does. So he is proclaiming himself to be a painter - and a very good one
He the met Valintine Brodsky (also introduced by his daughter.) They were together for the rest of his life.
Let’s look at the women in Picasso’s life. Here is how Picasso portrays Dora Maar, one of his lovers. While he was living with her in Provence, he also installed Olga, his wife at the time, in a home nearby. He would go back and forth. Dora began to have psychotic episodes during this time. She continued to have them for the rest of her life.The image on the right is of her - the title is Weeping Woman This is how Picasso saw her or what he did to her.
The portrait on the left is of Marie Therese Walter. He was 40 years old when he saw her, 17 at the time, walking out of Gallerie Lafayette. “I am Picasso. You must come with me.” She did. He was madly sensuously, passionately in love with her.
But even in expressing his love for Marie Theres —Look at her face. It is as much if not more about his dominant penis than it is about her sexuality. The pathologic narcissist must be in the spotlight. He cannot let anyone else take it from him.
Marie Therese and Picasso were together for many years, during which he also had other lovers. She committed suicide by hanging herself.
My next blog a week from now April 15, 2019 will be part 2 of this blog.
Marie Therese and Picasso were together for many years, during which he also had other lovers. She committed suicide by hanging herself.
The self portrait on the right below show Chagall as a young man - with healthy narcissism. The palette in hand he is declaring himself to be an artist. Notice the 6 fingers. In Hassidic lore someone with 6 fingers is considered to most adept at whatever he does - So Chagall is saying - Here I am. I am an artist - and I am very good at it. Healthy Narcissism!
Let’s look at Chagall, Picasso and the women in their lives.
Written by Dr. Barry Panter