© Sucesión Picasso, VEGAP, Madrid, 2023
Françoise Gilot, French artist, art critic and writer, Picasso's partner from 1943 to 1953, died on the 6th June at the age of 101 in Manhattan, New York.
Gilot graduated in English literature from the Sorbonne and Cambridge. She met Picasso when she was 21 and he was 61, they lived together for 10 years and she was the mother of Claude and Paloma Picasso.
Throughout her life she demonstrated her exceptional talent in various artistic disciplines and excelled as a painter, writer and advocate of artistic expression. Through her art, she explored themes such as identity, femininity and contemporary society, bringing a personal perspective to her work.
Gilot is best known for her book Vivre avec Picasso (1965), in which she recounts her ten-year relationship with the artist. In it she highlighted conversations she had with Picasso about painting and described in detail all aspects of his artistic development. This autobiographical account provides an intimate insight into his life with Picasso and offers profound reflections on the creative process, aesthetics and the role of the artist in society.
Beyond her connection with Picasso, Françoise Gilot has left her own mark on the art world. She was a respected art critic and brought her knowledge to the analysis of contemporary art works and trends.
Sources:
Gilot, F. (1965) Vivre avec Picasso.
Esteban, Paloma (presentación), Los grandes genios del arte contemporáneo. No. 1. El siglo XX. Picasso 1881-1914, 2004
Azimi.R. Françoise Gilot: La Femme Libre.