God invented concubinage, satan marriage.

In this provocative quote, Francis Picabia, a French avant-garde artist and poet associated with the Dada movement, presents a stark and irreverent view on the institution of marriage. By stating that "God invented concubinage, Satan marriage," Picabia contrasts the concept of concubinage—a relationship outside of formal marriage, often involving cohabitation without legal recognition—with marriage, which he associates with Satan. His statement suggests a deep critique of the traditional institution of marriage, positioning it as something artificial, oppressive, or even inherently flawed, while elevating concubinage as more natural or liberating.

The phrase also reflects Picabia's larger rebellious stance against societal norms, especially the conventional moral and religious structures of his time. The reference to God and Satan in this context is deeply ironic, as it subverts traditional religious interpretations of marriage as a sacred union. By linking marriage to Satan, Picabia mocks the religious and social sanctity placed upon it, suggesting that the institution may be more associated with control, hypocrisy, or societal oppression than divine will.

Picabia’s quote also resonates with the Dadaist movement’s disdain for logic, structure, and convention. The Dadaists sought to challenge all established artistic and cultural norms, and this quote serves as a sharp, satirical commentary on the rigid social institution of marriage. By presenting this dichotomy in such stark terms, he pushes his audience to question the accepted norms surrounding relationships and the power structures that underpin them.

Ultimately, this quote captures Picabia’s characteristic irreverence and intellectual provocation. It reflects his larger critique of societal institutions, particularly the ways in which marriage can be viewed as a restrictive or artificial construct, while concubinage symbolizes a form of freedom from these constraints.