Page 67 - Studio International - April 1965

with the entourage composed of Sabartes, Picasso's Picasso's statement: 'I don't try to express nature,
secretary, Marcel, his chauffeur (sacked ignominiously) rather as the Chinese put it, to work like nature. And I
reads like a progress of an Eastern nabob and some- want that internal surge—my creative dynamism—to
times Picasso's attitude resembles just such a person. propose itself to the viewer in the form of traditional
Yet he is the first to resent such a comparison. When painting violated' is the attempt at self-conscious
his son, Paulo, suggests that 'Aly Khan spends more of analysis that almost reaches the lowest ebb. It reads, in
his father's money than I do of yours', Picasso explodes fact, so banally pretentious it raises doubts as to its
'You have the crust to talk about me in the same breath veracity were it not for the fact that Picasso must rank
with that repulsive old Buddha'. not as an intellectual but more of a 'natural' painter who
There is scant respect for reputations or personal expresses only himself through the medium and all the
sensitivity through this unique biography. Libel laws associations that medium conjures up to itself.
that prevent the publication of anything like the truth in Chagall's opinion of Picasso has the truth of malice.
England have obviously no such protective stifling 'What a genius, that Picasso', he said. 'It's a pity he
effect in France. Not that there is malice towards any- doesn't paint'.
one. Françoise Gilot had to get Picasso out of her The cult of Picasso is in danger of not long surviving
system and this no doubt is the most purgative method his death. To the glamour, the prestige, the public rela-
(as well as the most lucrative). Hilarity is here too—the tions, this book comes with a truth that is big enough to
spectacle of the Great Master in bed hurling missiles do little damage. For Picasso is only mortal, too mortal,
at his son and 'Wife' is conjured up with a deftness some might say. He has nothing craven, nothing petty
that leaves us smiling. in his make-up that can detract from his Promethean
Picasso as father comes out as tender, protective and vigour, his delight in pure creation, using every device
proud. The primitive that constitutes the Malagan artist that comes to his hand, knowing little of a perfect
is never less pronounced than when he is playing with composition because perfection implies an Olympian
his children, making things for them, drawing them. withdrawal. And Picasso is always in the middle of
The dialogues between Matisse and Picasso are the things, creating away like mad. Françoise Gilot gives
most delectable, especially when they express their us the man as he is seen from a viewpoint no one has
individual reactions to Jackson Pollock and the abstract enjoyed with such an equipment to describe him—
expressionists, disagreeing with 'giving oneself up as young woman admirer, as artist, as wife but
entirely to the action of painting', Yet even differing in especially as herself. It is the supreme journalism of
their disagreements. bed and board ; it is equal to Boswell.
n