Life with Picasso

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Back of the Book

Françoise Gilot was a young painter in Paris when she first met Picasso - he was sixty-two and she was twenty-one. During the following ten years they were lovers, worked closely together and she became mother to two of his children, Claude and Paloma. Life with Picasso, her account of those extraordinary years, is filled with intimate and astonishing revelations about the man, his work, his thoughts and his friends - Matisse, Braque, Gertrude Stein and Giacometti, among others. Françoise Gilot paints a compelling portrait of her turbulent life with the temperamental (and even abusive) genius that was Picasso. As one of the few intimate witnesses to Picasso as a human being and as an artist, her account of him is invaluable for assessing him on both counts.

Why You Should Read It

Life with Picasso offers a mesmerizing firsthand account of the legendary artist Pablo Picasso, providing readers with a unique and intimate perspective on his life and art. Gilot, an accomplished artist herself, brings a nuanced understanding to Picasso's creative process and the complexities of their personal relationship. The book not only offers insights into the artistic world of Picasso but also stands as a testament to Gilot's resilience and independence. Her narrative is candid, revealing the challenges and triumphs of navigating a life intertwined with one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Beyond its art historical significance, Life with Picasso is a compelling exploration of love, creativity, and the pursuit of one's own identity. Gilot’s inside look into the workings of Picasso the artist (as well as Picasso the terrible-significant-other) paints a nuanced picture of an artist that centers on the philosophy that one does not, in fact, have to be a good person to be a good artist and one does not have to be a good person to be loved.

Memorable Passage

No one is indispensable to anyone else. You imagine you're necessary to him or that he will be very unhappy if you leave him, but I'm sure that if you do, within three months he will have fitted another face into your role and you'll see that no one is suffering because of your absence. You must feel free to do whatever feels best to you. Being someone's nurse is no way to live unless you're unable to do anything else. You have to say something on your own and you ought to be thinking, first and foremost, about that.

About the Author

Françoise Gilot, born on November 26, 1921, is a French painter, author, and muse who has left an indelible mark on the art world. Recognized for her significant contributions to the art scene, Gilot gained widespread attention for her romantic involvement with Pablo Picasso, with whom she had two children. Beyond her personal connections, Gilot is celebrated for her own artistic achievements, marked by a distinctive style that blends elements of Cubism and abstraction. Her impressive body of work includes paintings, drawings, and ceramics, exhibited in major galleries and museums worldwide. In addition to her artistic talents, Gilot is also an accomplished author, known for her memoir Life with Picasso and other insightful writings. Worth knowing for her resilience, artistic vision, and the courage to carve her own path, Françoise Gilot stands as a multifaceted figure whose impact extends beyond the canvas into the realms of literature and cultural history.

 
 
 
 
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