Life with a Virtuoso (1954–1966)

This chapter details events in Roland Penrose's life from 1954 to 1966. In 1953, Victor Gollancz invited Roland to research and write a life of Picasso. Modestly but accurately, Roland realised that he might indeed be able to write a good biography. That winter, Roland visited Picasso in Perpignan, where Picasso was staying with the Comte and Comtesse de Lazerne at their country mansion. Roland broached the question of a biography with Picasso: ‘I told him that I wanted to write a book about him. His reaction was more encouraging than I had dared to hope.’ Putting aside the important claims surrealism had made upon him personally, Roland attempted to come to a full understanding of all aspects of Picasso's career, especially his cubist and neoclassical periods. The resulting book, narrated from what Roland felt was Picasso's point of view, shows a remarkable understanding of a genius at work.