Picasso. Between Cubism and Classicism 1915-1925

One hundred years later, this book evokes Picasso's journey to Rome and Naples with Jean Cocteau, Igor Stravinsky and the company of Sergei Djagilev's Ballet Russes. It was during this trip that he met and fell in love with the company's leading dancer, Olga Khokhlova, his future wife. In addition to the few extraordinary weeks spent in ltaly, which were pivotal in the development of Picasso's art during the postwar years, the monograph also examines his practice immediately after this Italian experience, with particular reference to the ballets Parade and Pulcinella as well as those paintings indebted to the iconographic/cultural world these two works had introduced him to.
The book focuses on Picasso's ability to experiment in different genres, from still-life to portraiture, playful and decorative collages to the sophisticated realism associated with Djagilev. It also documents the long-term impact of his Italian journey on his art, including the study of some Classical-inspired works executed in later years. With over 100 iconic paintings, drawings and photographs, the book offers masterpieces and key works from 1915 to 1925, with the aim of highlighting hidden links, resurfacings or the pre-existence of Classical elements throughout the artist's career.