Books & Java

Madame Picasso 

by Anne Girard

Synopsis:

 

When Eva Gouel moves to Paris from the countryside, she is full of ambition and dreams of stardom. Though young and inexperienced, she manages to find work as a costumer at the famous Moulin Rouge, and it is here that she first catches the attention of Pablo Picasso, a rising star in the art world.

A brilliant but eccentric artist, Picasso sets his sights on Eva, and Eva can't help but be drawn into his web. But what starts as a torrid affair soon evolves into what will become the first great love of Picasso's life.

With sparkling insight and passion, Madame Picasso introduces us to a dazzling heroine, taking us from the salon of Gertrude Stein to the glamorous Moulin Rouge and inside the studio and heart of one of the most enigmatic and iconic artists of the twentieth century.

My Review:

Excellent book. Wonderful writing. Beautiful story. Fantastic depiction of a love story that made a man into a legend. Pablo Picasso took many lovers in his life but as I now know, only had one true love - Eva Gouel.  Anne Girard's book Madame Picasso takes us through the 4 year love affair that according to many close to Picasso, changed his life and defined him as a genius amongst his peers and even rivals of the time.

I am very drawn to stories that feature lesser known people in life who have made a significant impact in the life of other, greater known personalities. Many times, we learn that these muses in the lives of such grand eccentrics and brilliant artists are truly the ones with substance and whose lives are most fascinating. Probably the reason why they are so drawn to them. Their lives often end in tragedy and in spite of their impact to the artist their memories become a lesser known sub-plot to the grand life of he/she whom they have inspired.  I think of people like Zelda Sayre and now, Eva Gouel who were so much more than just lovers and spouses and confidants.

I did not know much about Picasso prior to reading this book. I have seen Guernica at the Louvre in more than one occasion and I'm familiar with his cubist works but other than that and the commonly known Spanish, superstitious, hot-head personality he was well-known to being, I feel like this book offered me a perspective about his life and what motivated him and brought him such great fame.  However, this great book is not about Picasso alone, but rather a snippet of time (4 years) of his life that defined his future beyond 1915.

I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Ms. Girard's writing style. How can you lose with so many references to the beautiful streets of Paris and the amazing landmarks - The Moulin Rouge, Montparnasse and Montmatre. As well as the fascinating characters of the time - Gertrude Stein, and Guillaume Apollinaire to name a few. This book was so engrossing and enjoyable. It was evident that she wanted to do the memory of Eva Gouel due justice.