Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund's Odyssey

by David Douglas Duncan, Paloma Picasso Thevenet (Contributor)

The little-known story of Pablo Picasso and his lovable dog Lump, who is immortalized in many of Picasso's acclaimed works of art.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Animals, Biography, Dogs, Photography

100 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kalliope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love story, and it is graphic, and there is also some sex.

This is also a beautiful book and it is to be read while sipping something such as a “tisane” (and evoke memories), or a coffee, or a glass of wine, or may be even some Scotch.

Lump, the protagonist, accompanied by his caretaker and documentarian David Douglas Duncan, visits Picasso and Jacqueline in their beautiful house, La Californie, in Cannes.





The documentarian takes photos and photos, all in black and white, with his Leica, and witnesses the growth of love between Lump and Picasso, and also between Lump and Jacqueline.





Lump is also a witness to the love between Picasso and Jacqueline.



This is in 1956-57.


Documentation is also left of Lump’s marriage to Lolita (what a literary suggestive name). Picasso acted as the mamporrero as we say in Spanish. Lolita arrives in what could be taken as a limousine, and beautifully attired with some lace round her neck ready for her nuptials. As she was also, like Lump, a Dachshund, they were expected to produce pure breeds. But there was no issue.


The poignant moment in the drama is when Picasso, the host, offered the cardboard Rabbit to Lump:



And YES, Lump ate it ! , but the spoiler is in the Title as well.


In proof of his love for Lump, Picasso offered him this:




And since Picasso was very aware of posterity, he immortalized Lump in his version of the other immortal painting, Veláquez’s Las Meninas.






In honor to them both, the book closes with this Amigos Forever, which they have both remained since 1973:






P.S.: For the sex scene between Lolita and Lump, you would have to buy the book.

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A short novella about Pablo Picasso, his paramour, Jacqueline, and his beloved Dachshund, Lump. A love story told mostly in titled pictures, which also highlights a number of his later paintings.

[Lane Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, Pablo Picasso had a dachshund named Lump. The intimate photography that makes the bulk of this book is as much a testament to the humanity of Picasso as it is to the profound relationship between ourselves and our animal friends.

[Sleepydrummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this adorable picture book from the Picasso Museum of Barcelona after viewing Picasso's 'Las Meninas' paintings. The white silhouette of a dog seemed conspicuously present in this series of 20 or so paintings. Curiosity lead me to David Douglas Duncan's book; in it he shares photographs of his friend Picasso, and the little dachshund who joined the Picasso menagerie at Villa La Californie. A kind-hearted portrait of Picasso and his ever-present pooch is unveiled.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book as part of a silent auction fundraiser for Getalong Dachshund Rescue. My gently used copy is absolutely beautiful and I read it in one sitting with our dachshund Snoppy here in bed with me and doxie-mix Coco quietly snoozing on the floor waiting for her dad to finish working in the study. Modern art, my beloved pups, a glorious book—needless to say, my heart is full tonight!

[Jose Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um bonito álbum fotográfico com tudo para quem gosta de cães e especialmente para os donos de dachshunds.

Opinião em video no canal de Booktube

[Mai M Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

لطيف وحجمه صغير عبارة عن صور أخدها المصور ديفيد للكلب بتاعه لما كان بيرح يزور بيكاسو ف بيته وييصوره
الكلب حب عائلة بيكاسو كأنه واحد منهم وحتى مات ف نفس السنة اللي مات فيها الرسام

الصور بالأبيض والأسود وفيها كمان مراته التانيه واولادهم
صور عائلية لطيفة وطبعًا بيكاسو وهو بيرسم

هصور الكتاب كالعادة وهنزله ع قناة "عن الفن" ع اليوتيوب لو حد مهتم ياريت الدعم بالأشتراك فيها 👇
3nelf@

وبصور الكتب عامة اللي بستعيرها من المكتبة مبتدأها ع انستجرام 👇
mai.designer92

[Marieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, but i held back one star because some of the photographs were not as great as i thought they could have been. For example, there is what could be a really great picture of Lump in a large room with huge windows, but the lighting is such that Lump disappears into a lump...you cannot see his features at all. Instead, the photograph seems focused on the beautiful window behind him. Also, some of the writing was awkward, requiring me to read things twice. That said, this is a really fun book for anyone interested in photography and/or the private life of Picasso and/or dogs, other animals, and young children. In fact, I think you should do yourself a favor and read Kalliope's review to get a better sense of how lovely this book is. I'm just being too negative today.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this little book as a birthday gift by a friend who knows me well - I love dogs, dachshunds in particular. This book is a photo essay of the relationship between Picasso and a dachshund called Lump. The dog belonged to an Italian photographer who was always on the road, and one day when he was visiting Picasso in the South of France, Lump, who was with him, decided he preferred Picasso's house and stayed! The photographer took the photos himself, and they capture Picasso's obvious affection for this glorious little creature, and provide you with some insight into the artist's life. All the pictures are captioned and there are bits of text.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book in the giftshop at the Art Museum in Houston, I was there for work. The museum had a special exhibit going on that featured dogs in art, so I went after work one day & wandered through it- it was a really neat exhibit. I never realized how many paintings, etc feature pets. Since we have a little doxie of our own, how could I not love this photo book about Picasso's own doxie Lump. It was interesting to see how he wound up in so many of Picasso's works.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the insider view of Picasso's incredible studio (complete with wild pigeons and doves coming and going freely as well as his pet goat Esmerelda who was literally tied to Esmerelda the sculpture of a goat. Lump was more of a supporting character than a star....OH LUMP. Lump is the perfect name for a dachshund.
Captions were fun and enlightening, this book is so short though!
Picasso and Lump died around the same time, which I thought was touching, sad, and sweet.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't read like a book; it's more of a pictorial history of Picasso's relationship with his dachshund. How could I not love this book? Sweet and memorable pictures of Picasso family life. For me, it made the artist seem less enigmatic and more human.

[Mona Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful peek into the private life of Pablo Picasso.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly pictures but still a cute story.

[Lupine · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOW DID I NOT KNOW THAT PICASSO HAD A WIENER DOG?!? Sweet photos that tell the story of Picasso and Lumpito.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a dachshund lover, and as a fan of Picasso, I knew I needed to read this. Anyone that has had a dachshund knows that they are very stubborn and that they can easily get what they want if they're determined to get it. It comes as no surprise that Lump would decide La Californie was his new home and make it so. The fact that Picasso warmed up to Lump in a way he didn't with other dogs is proof of the power of a doxie. I really enjoyed the pictures and the peek into Picasso's personal life and home. The only negatives here were the writing ( a bit odd in places) and that I would have preferred more photos of Picasso and Lump interacting, rather than the photos of his family, since the books's focus was the Maestro and the dog.

[Jill Cordry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite and intimate photographs and text by this friend and photographer of the artist. The story of how the author's dog left him for his subject and charmed the still hard working septuagenarian into a privileged relationship is beautifully documented in black and white photos. In addition to documenting the bond between Picasso and Lump, the reader is given a visual insight to the life and workings of the artist at home. Any dog lover will experience delight in Picasso's portrayal of Lump in the works included in this charming book

[Beth Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is mainly a series of photographs and commentary about the dachshund, Lump, that Picasso obtained from the photographer (Duncan). The photographs are charming, as are the pictures that Picasso painted in which Lump plays a part.

Picasso was a real enigma, and this book would be interesting to anyone looking to see the human side of this artist who thought so differently from most of us. I was especially entranced by the goat who lived in the hallway inside the villa.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duotone photographs of Picasso and the charming Lump, and the inclusion of Lump in several of his paintings, make this one a nice afternoon treat.

[Kitty with Curls]

SO CUTE. Also the perfect complement to Ariana Huffington's idiotic Picasso bio. As coffee-table books go, this one is tops.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an intriguing side of Picasso! I really like daschunds AND photography, too, so this was a neat book to see!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and intimate collection of photographs giving an incite into Picasso's life and love for this rather cheeky pup.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I like Picasso, and I like dachshunds, and I like photographs. So this book was accordingly pleasing.

[Sansan Gilbreath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was particularly meaningful to me as I just saw several of those paintings and photographs at the Picasso museum in Barcelona

[Liz Dohogne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much to read, mainly just pictures of his beloved Dachshund Lump & goats ;)

[Rhonda Hankins]

ah...two of my favorite things, picasso and dachshunds, love this book

[Xenia0201 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs are just touching beyond words.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

what is not to like? pablo picasso and his pet wiener dog Lump.

[Sidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most prized books. Shows a tender side of Picasso.