Picasso: The Real Family Story

by Olivier Widmaier Picasso

Olivier Widmaier Picasso set out on a journey to rediscover the famous grandfather whose works decorated the walls of his parents' home in Marseille. His research brought to light details of Picasso's life that had always remained hidden from the general public. These details are now revealed exclusively in this book. The author explains why certain myths have grown up around modern art's founder and he rebuts the slanderous attacks made against Picasso in the past. Picasso's grandson spoke to the people who really knew his grandfather - famous contemporaries and leading figures from the worlds of art and the law, as well as ordinary individuals who played a part in his life. The author paints an intimate portrait of the artist and provides a delicate counterbalance to the public perception of the artist.
The author describes Picasso's relationships with the women in his life and his children and examines his views on love, sex, and family life, as well as money, politics, power, fame, death, and eternity. This book reveals the story of one man's life and dispels many of the myths that surround the prolific artist and insatiable man. For the first time, the reader is let into the secrets of the Picasso estate with its eventful history and the incredible value of the inheritance.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published December 12, 2003

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good definitive review of Picasso's life. Could have used a bit of editing but over all, a great perspective.

[Reading_in_Bed789 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. This biography lacks two important things: 1) An index. 2) Objective acknowledgment that Picasso was a serial philanderer with serious age gaps.

I read a historical fiction novel from 2024 called Picasso’s Lovers earlier this year. It imagined his life in summer 1923 and again in the mid 1950s. I wanted to know more about the women in his life; this kinda delivers.

Maybe I’ll finish this review later, maybe I won’t.

My sincere thanks to my nearby public library for keeping this book on their shelves 20+ years after publication.

[Arnoldo Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the last decade or so I accumulated dozens of books on Picasso. Since 2003 I began reading them. Recently I picked up this bio by his grandson, Olivier Widmaier Picasso, son of Maya, daughter of Picasso and Marie-Therese Walter. This is a summary of many other bios on Picasso, the exception being the family lense depicting Picasso in a different and human light.

[Ma · Rating 1 out of 5]

made it halfway and grew tired of the endless descriptions re: Picasso's romantic and financial comings and goings. so what.

[Jennifer Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing to read about the story behind the genius.

[Leslie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark story of a complicated man.