The Ultimate Picasso

by Brigitte Leal, Christine Piot, Marie-Laure Bernadac

Of all the books on the man many consider the greatest genius of 20th-century art, this sumptuous work stands out as truly the "ultimate" Picasso. Not only does it cover in one volume all the periods of Pablo Picasso's long, incredibly versatile career-with exquisite reproductions of nearly every significant work he ever created-but the scholarship is each of the three authors is a leading authority on a particular period of Picasso's artistic evolution. Brigitte Léal covers Picasso's formative years from 1881 through 1916, including his invention of Cubism with Georges Braque. Christine Piot explores the astonishingly fertile period from 1917 through 1952. Marie-Laure Bernadac discusses the unabashed vigor of Picasso's later years, from 1953 until his death in 1973. Nearly 1,200 magnificent reproductions, 720 in full color, illustrate Picasso's breathtaking range of artistic expression. Picasso once boasted that a book would have to be written on him every day to keep up with his creative surges. Perhaps. But for art lovers and students seeking just one book, The Ultimate Picasso is unsurpassed. BRIGITTE LÉAL is a curator at the Muse Picasso in Paris. CHRISTINE PIOT contributed to the catalogue raisonn of Picasso's sculpture. MARIE-LAURE BERNADAC is curator of the Muse National d'Art Moderne (the Georges Pompidou Center), Paris. Previously she was curator of the Muse Picasso in Paris. 1,186 illustrations, 720 in full color, 111/2 x 12"

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography

504 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pablo Picasso is the artistic giant of the twentieth century, and perhaps only Leonardo Da Vinci rivals his fame throughout the History of Art.

[翰林院编修]

500页。尚无。《终极毕加索》

[Kirk Nesset · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice reproductions. The text, however, is not too engaging, and sometimes suffocatingly dense.

[Doria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary and enormous book, gloriously packed with full-color reproductions of more than a thousand of Picasso's works. Drawings, etchings, paintings, ceramics and sculpture are all given due diligence, as well as a biographical index with a nice complement of photographs. Wonderful and insightful essays guide the reader through close readings of many of these works, enhancing our understanding and appreciation for the great master of the twentieth century. The book is helpfully divided into chronological sections of Picasso's long and fruitful life, making it possible to work one's way through comprehensively and manageably. Rather like eating a large and very delicious whale. This is a rare gem: a full-sized (and heavy) coffee table book which I have actually read in its completion. I savored every page, and reserve the right to read it again some day. Until then, it remains on the coffee table!

[Dottie Suggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

the format of this book made it easy to read and easy to understand each piece that was discussed. Large photos of each work on high gloss paper with excellent descriptions of works in each of the periods of his paintings. wonderful book for anyone interested in Picasso.