I had a revelation about Miss Fischer today. Through Miss Fischer's lines one might assume she is extremely interested in art. "What is it, chalk? Charcoal?" "Is that how you did this one? With a mirror?" "Am I right about the period?"
However, in the staging yesterday, I realized I wasn't drawn to the portraits when asking those questions, but to Jag's reactions. It could just be that we were holding imaginary paintings in our hands and there wasn't actually much to look at... but it was an interesting notion to me that as Picasso studies the portraits. Miss Fischer studies Picasso.
He is the painting. And she is the critic.
...take that as you will.
I think that is a dynamic way to approach her focus. After all, she grew up with a wall of Picasso's in her house. She established her reputation as a critic on the back of Picasso's work. It would stand to reason that she is fascinated by HIM more than the act of painting itself. Otherwise, wouldn't she have become a painter herself?
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