French artist and writer of a candid, humorous and intelligent memoir, "Life with Picasso," with Carlton Lake, McGraw-Hill Publishers, 1964. An only child, she had a cold father who beat her in fury when she dropped out of the Sorbonne to be an artist. She painted from the time she was 17 and was an insomniac and voracious reader. She met Pablo Picasso May 1943 when she was 21 and he was 63. As she had recently left both school and her childhood home, she was living with her grandmother. She and Picasso developed an easy, close camaraderie, involved in the same social group of artists and intellectuals. They became lovers Feb. 1994 and she moved in with him soon after. Gilot shared Picassos life for nearly a decade, giving her life to him, taking care of his needs and putting up with his moods, modeling for him as she painted steadily herself. Their son Claude was born 5/15/1947 and daughter Paloma 4/19/1949 "toward eight that evening." Picasso chafed under the domesticity, had affairs with other women and they began to pull apart. Following a period of calm through 1952, Gilot took the kids and left him 9/30/1953. She had known Luc Sima from the time of teens and re-met him in Paris in 1954. They married July 1955 and had a daughter, Aurelia. She never saw Picasso again. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less
Born: November 26, 1921, in Paris, France
Françoise Gilot is a renowned French painter, printmaker, and author. She gained international recognition for her vibrant artistic style and her personal life, most notably her ten-year relationship with Pablo Picasso, with whom she had two children, Claude and Paloma.
Gilot's artistic career spans decades, marked by a distinct evolution of style. Her early works often reflected the influence of Cubism and Surrealism, but she gradually developed a unique approach characterized by bold colors, expressive figures, and a focus on emotional depth. She has exhibited her work in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide. While she inevitably faced scrutiny due to her connection with Picasso, Gilot has consistently asserted her independent artistic identity and achieved critical acclaim in her own right. Her artistic output includes paintings, lithographs, and etchings, often featuring themes of family, nature, and personal experience. She has continued to create art well into her later years, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to her craft.
In addition to her visual art, Gilot is a respected author. Her memoir, Life with Picasso, co-written with Carlton Lake, provided a candid account of her relationship with the iconic artist and offered valuable insights into his life and creative process. The book became a bestseller upon its release and sparked considerable controversy, particularly regarding Picasso's portrayal. Gilot has also authored other books, including Interface: The Painter and the Mask and Matisse and Picasso: A Friendship in Art, further establishing her as a significant voice in the art world.
Information regarding Gilot's very recent projects and social media presence is limited. Given her advanced age, public appearances and new projects are less frequent. However, her legacy as a significant artist and author remains firmly established. Her artistic contributions have earned her lasting recognition, and her writings continue to provide valuable perspectives on the art world of the 20th century and her complex relationship with one of its most influential figures. She continues to be studied and admired for both her artistic achievements and her resilience as a woman who navigated a challenging personal life while forging her own distinct path in the art world.
Unfortunately, specific details on current exhibitions or social media accounts are not readily available through general online searches. More specialized art resources or archives may contain further information.
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