John Richardson: A Life of Picasso II: The Cubist Rebel, 1907–1916

This book is the softcover edition of the second volume of John Richardson’s definitive four-part biography A Life of Picasso, first published in 1996. Offering an unparalleled understanding of the life and work of this legendary figure, the biography draws from Richardson’s firsthand interactions with Picasso and his detailed research in the artist’s studios and archive, with assistance from Marilyn McCully.

With 756 illustrations, the volume chronicles the decade beginning with the making of Picasso’s breakthrough painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) through his extended development of Cubism alongside Georges Braque before and during World War I. Richardson brings fresh light to our understanding of Picasso, highlighting his working relationship with Braque and rivalry with Henri Matisse. He delves into the artist’s associations with dealers Ambroise Vollard and Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, and patrons including Leo and Gertrude Stein and Eugenia Errázuriz, as well as his relationships with Fernande Olivier, Eva Gouel, Gaby Depeyre, and Irène Lagut, offering key insights into Picasso’s artistic growth and personal development.