Reads the editorial on the editorial page of the Indian Express dated 14 March 2024. In life as Arts few archetypes are as enduring as that of a lover scorned. The Writer & Painter Francoise Gilot in Pablo Picasso’s life bucked the trend against all odds.
In 1053, when she walked out of his life, with whom she had two children, the artist reportedly told her, ‘One doesn’t leave a man like me.’ Later what followed was an early example of ‘cancel culture’.Picasso & his influential cohort went out of their way to sabotage her career in France. Forcing her to relocate in the US.
The news of the Picasso Museum in Paris dedicating an entire room to Gilot’ s art for an year- long exhibition, comes with a sense of posthumous vindication. She died last year. She is finally being recognized in France not for her decade long relationship but for her prestigious works.
“Adam forcing Eve to eat an apple (1946), “Paloma a la Guitare (1965) & ‘The Labyrinth series (1961- 63). In the aftermath of their relationship, Picasso had ensured that she lost invitations to prestigious exhibitions & representation by galleries in France. Even the publication of her 1964 biography, Life With Picasso, had been stalled.
They had met when Gilot was 21 & Picasso was 61. His actions as a partner, her husband & an artist of renown himself just cannot be justified.
The article quotes a few examples. Camille Claudel , muse & lover to French sculptor Auguste Rodin had a trumulous affair with him. But he refused to leave his partner Rosa Beuret for her. Claudel destryed most of her work & had to be institutionalized in the twilight of her life.
Photographer Dora Maar found refuge in Roman Catholicism, after her relationship with the Spanish Painter Pablo Picasso ended. Proclaiming famously, ‘After Picasso, only God.”
But the woman who replaced Maar, Gilot, displayed a strong streak. Later she had married Jonas Salk, the American researcher who developed the first safe polio vaccine.
In an interview questioning how she came to be with two of the most influential men in the world, Gilot responded ‘Lions Mate with Lions’. With her first partner Picasso she lived for 10 years & Salk , her third husband she lived for 25 years till his death in 1995.
She has said,’ You have to admit that most women who do something with their lives have been disliked by almost everyone ‘ How fitting!
She died at the age of 101 of heart & lung ailments. Having worked on her pieces & having lived her life, her way.
Salute to the invincible spirit of the lady! Shouldn’t all of us take a leaf of f her book & live life wholly??
Asian Entertainment 