Painting is never prose' - Pablo Picasso

It's high time to take a fresh look at the genius of the century. In recent years, significant research findings have been presented on various aspects of the life and work of the Spanish artist, making a smoothly readable overview more necessary than ever. This is exactly what Mary Ann Caws, the grande dame of American surrealism research, accomplishes here. She is uniquely qualified for this task, as she is not only regarded as one of the world's leading specialists in French culture and literature but also possesses writing talent: she has published novels and poems alongside her academic work, which have resonated widely in the USA. In her book on Picasso, the author focuses on the network of relationships surrounding the painter, including his lovers and muses, as well as family members.