Book Description

One hundred years later, this book evokes Picasso_s journey to Rome and Naples with Jean Cocteau, Igor Stravinsky and the company of Sergei Djagilev_s Ballet Russes . lt was during this trip that he met and fell in love with the company_s leading dancer, Olga Khokhlova, who would become his first wife. In addition to the few extraordinary weeks spent in ltaly, which were pivotal in the development of Picasso_s art during the post-war years, the monograph also examines his production immediately after this ltalian experience, with particular reference to the ballets Parade and Pulcinella , as well as those paintings indebted to the iconographic and cultural world that these two works had introduced him to. The book focuses on Picasso_s ability to experiment in different genres, from still-life to portraiture, from the playful and decorative collages executed during the Great War, to the sophisticated realism of the years of his association with Djagilev. It also documents the long-term impact of his ltalian journey on Picasso_s art, which necessarily involves the study of some of the works of Classical inspiration executed in later years. With over 100 works including iconic paintings, drawings and photographs, the book shows masterpieces and key works of this period of Picasso_s production (1915-1925), with the aim of pointing out hidden links, temporary resurfocings or originai pre existence of Classical elements throughout the artist_s career.