The Private World of Pablo Picasso

by David Douglas Duncan

David Douglas Duncan presents a photographic record of the life which Picasso and Jacqueline shared together in their home. The author was a friend of the couple and records the time he spent with them, from his first visit in 1956 to Picasso's death in 1973 and afterwards, until Jacqueline herself died in 1986. He portrays their everyday domestic life, their leisure time and intimate moments and also shows Picasso at work on his paintings. Duncan recalls "The three of us enjoyed a life so close and casual and natural that I was able to use my cameras as though neither they nor I existed". Duncan is a well-known photographer and has written over 16 books.

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Dianna Thiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the English Version. It has pictures too!

[Craig Masten · Rating 3 out of 5]

The English version of Picasso and Jacqueline is a coffee table book of photographs taken by David Douglas Duncan, the famous photo journalist, of his friend Picasso and the last woman in his life. The photographs, as with virtually all else about Picasso, are stunning black-and-white images of the last year's of the artist's life surrounded by his home, artworks, and the adoring people closest to him, especially Jacqueline. The photographer's pages of commentary text are somewhat tedious to read in their sometimes irrelevant detailing of the author's activities only peripherally related to Picasso, along with gushing and overly sentimental anecdotal comments about the artist and his wife. Maybe Picasso created such an atmosphere around himself. Possible. All photos black and white, but this is no drawback to what is essential, the look into the private world of Picasso in his final years.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After going to the Picasso exhibit at the DeYoung Art Museum in San Francisco in mid-July, I fell in love with Picasso. As I perused my whittled down collection of art books in Brookline, here was a book I owned that I didn’t remember owning!

David Douglas Duncan became a friend of Picasso and Jacqueline. This book brings to mind the coffee table paperback, The Family of Man. For several months David Douglas Duncan lived at La Californie, Picasso and Jacqueline’s villa near Cannes. The black and white photos Duncan shot are the core of this book. They are accompanied by minimal descriptive text which provides a context for these remarkable images.

A gem awaiting your discovery!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this hefty, oversize book while browsing the shelves of the main library in Brookline. Some of Duncan’s photos from The Private World of Pablo Picasso are included, but Picasso and Jacqueline is more comprehensive. Duncan’s friendship with Picasso was such that he was allowed to photograph the artist while he was working (often late into the night). Here we are plunged into the rhythm of daily life at La Californie and treated to a rare inside view of Picasso and Jacqueline’s relationship.

If you are fascinated by Picasso, definitely put this book on reserve. It’s a delightful treat worth savoring.

[Loree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picasso fascinates me, this book has wonderful photos of him in private and studio life....

[Sunflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book says Copyright 1958, David Douglas Duncan
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 58-5423