Rare Picasso lithograph up for grabs at £60,000 price tag
In the vibrant world of art history, few relationships have been as intriguing as that between Pablo Picasso and Geneviève Laporte. This captivating tale, filled with artistic prowess and unexpected twists, is a testament to the complexities of human connections.
Geneviève Laporte, a French woman who captured Picasso's attention in the early 1950s, was not just a muse but also a subject of many of his artworks. One of these artworks, David et Bethsabée (d'après Cranach), is currently available through Shapero Modern, showcasing Picasso's unique interpretation of Lucas Cranach's David and Bathsheba.
Their relationship began in the summer of 1951, during a time when Picasso was sharing a villa in Cannes with Francoise Gilot. It was here that Picasso sketched Laporte numerous times, and it was also here that their bond deepened. However, Gilot would eventually leave Picasso in 1953, prompting Picasso to imply that Laporte should move in with him.
Laporte, however, found Picasso's clumsy suggestion unappealing. In her memoir, she recounts how Picasso complained about her playing with his dog, Yan, in his house. This incident, coupled with Picasso's apparent infidelity after their relationship ended, according to his biographer, led to Laporte's decision to end the relationship.
In a poignant gesture, Picasso gave Laporte a lithograph he had made in the autumn of 1951. He wrote her name on the lithograph and said it was for her. Yet, no amount of thoughtful gifts could make up for Picasso's monumental blundering.
Following their separation, Laporte sold Picasso's artworks to raise money for her own animal-welfare charity. This act, while painful for Picasso, demonstrated Laporte's unwavering commitment to her cause.
Carla Passino, the Arts & Antiques editor at Country Life magazine, has delved deep into the world of art history, including this intriguing tale of Picasso and Laporte. Passino, who became the Arts & Antiques editor of the platform in 2023, has a background as a freelance journalist covering heritage, conservation, history, and property topics. Her interest in art and antiques, particularly pre-20th-century topics, has led her to conduct insightful interviews and contribute content exploring the artistic and cultural history tied to antiques and heritage.
Despite her Italian birth, Passino favours the English weather over her native country's sunshine, much like her preference for immersing herself in the intricacies of the past rather than the present. Her musical taste, too, remains rooted in the past, with Puccini being her favourite composer.
In the end, the story of Picasso and Laporte serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the power of art to both capture and reflect these complexities. It is a tale that continues to intrigue and inspire, a testament to the enduring allure of art history.
- Geneviève Laporte's relationship with Pablo Picasso, beyond being a significant source of inspiration for his artwork, also involved personal complexities that reflect the intricacies found within many human relationships.
- As a dedicated journalist with a keen interest in art and antiques, particularly those from pre-20th century periods, Carla Passino's extensive research on intriguing stories like that of Picasso and Laporte, serves to illuminate the artistic and cultural history that continue to intrigue and inspire us.
