Picasso’s Women
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Customer Review: Valuable Insights into Picasso’s Sources and Methods
If you think you know Picasso’s work, this book will convince you otherwise. John Richardson has done a tremendous service by sorting out when Picasso produced his greatest works between 1917 and 1932, what sources he “borrowed” from, what he was trying to accomplish, and how all of these works affected his career. This book was quite a revelation to me. Simply by seeing a lot of his work (as you can do at Musee Picasso, for example), you quickly realize that Picasso constantly copied himself. And, of course, it is well known that he borrowed much while trying to establish a style and while working with Braque to develop cubism. But Picasso borrowed early and often in ways I didn’t realize. In that sense, he was a supreme stylist who could execute someone else’s idea in a more profound way. I came away with a new appreciation for that aspect of his talent. While Picasso was alive, very little was said in books about his mistreatment of women and the motives behind his paintings of his wives and lovers. While his second life was alive, people were still pretty circumspect on this point. But now we know that Picasso was louse when it came to women and his family. This book gives you the full story of his first marriage, relationship with his young mistress who inspired so many joyous works, Marie-Therese Walter, and his constant attraction to prostitutes. There are some other surprises in this book including how central his work with ballet was in creating interest in his paintings and sculptures. It was through Diaghilev that Picasso met his first wife, Olga Khokhlova, a ballerina in the Ballets Russes. Picasso decided it was time to settle down and marry. Despite having had long relationships with women before, he now was looking for someone who would help make him respectable. In the process, Picasso adopted the lifestyle of one of the first wealthy artists (famously being driven around in one of the world’s most expensive cars by a chauffeur in the middle of the world-wide economic depression). As good as John Richardson is on those subjects, he can be most annoying in other ways. For example, Mr. Richardson seems to have an obsession with Jean Cocteau and writes a lot about him even though Picasso didn’t like Cocteau very much and Cocteau didn’t influence Picasso very much either. Mr. Richardson also has a writing style that can be enormously elusive, describing what happened without saying anything. Picasso’s wife seems to have had a lot of physical and mental problems but these are mentioned without providing much real information other than when they occurred. A greater problem comes in that Mr. Richardson likes to drop in lots of French phrases (I read French so I had no problem), but if you don’t read French it makes the text harder to follow. Some will also find some of Mr. Richardson’s put downs of those who disagree with as being rude and high handed. Perhaps the most annoying problem comes in using academic words to describe distasteful aspects of Picasso’s personality and behavior. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig. But I advise you to read the book while being prepared for its weaknesses. I’m afraid there is no substitute. The generously represented art makes up for the weaknesses.
Customer Review: Not up to the mark
My copy was warped and the front cover was scratched. For a book of this quality and price I would expect it to be delivered in pristine condition.
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Customer Review: manifique
It was a birthday present to me, and it has to be the best book i’ve read on two fabulous artists. Loads of illustrations to compare the two artists work showing how they competed against each other. All in all a fabulous and well illustrated book.
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Sacred Monsters, Sacred Masters : Beaton, Capote, Dali, Picasso, Freud, Warhol, and More Customer Review: Fascinating read about lives of the rich and famous
John Richardson is an elegant prose writer who has managed to capture a real sense of time and place in the these thumbnail portraits of famous artists and collectors he has known and worked with during his career.
There’s something for everyone here; whether you are knowledgeable about art or want to know more about your heros’ private lives, you’ll find something you didn’t know before, something that will make you look at them and their work in a different light.
Richardson is never too judgemental about the characters he writes about; he accepts them, warts and all, for what they are, and puts emphasis on the effect they had on those around them and the artworld in general.
In short, however, a brilliant read, something you can dip into at any time and amaze your partner/friends with some delightful anecdotes about Andy Warhol/Dali, etc.
Musee National Picasso Paris
Citro?n UK Cars - The range - Citroen Xsara Picasso
ceramic mug high quality photographic image ’sublimated’ into the coating of the mug giving a smooth and even surface. DISHWASHER PROOF approx 90mm tall and 230mm circumference
Life?s tough when you?re the daughter of the world?s most famous painter. What?s a girl to do? We know, create exquisite jewellery for Tiffany?s and come up with a signature fragrance that?s as exotic and classy as you are. Do you know what? That?s exactly what Paloma?s done. She must be psychic. Palomas signature scent was launched in 1984 as a stylish mossy fragrance for women.
