A Life of Picasso IV: The Minotaur Years - by John Richardson (Hardcover)

This book is a must-read for any art lover or history buff.

It provides an in-depth look into the life of Pablo Picasso during a pivotal time in his career, spanning from France to Spain.

The text is filled with stunning illustrations and drawings, including never-before-seen material from the Picasso family archives.

The book opens with a visit by Brassaï to Picasso's chateau in Normandy, where he captured iconic photographs of Marie-Thérèse, Picasso's mistress and muse.

From there, the book delves into Picasso's contributions to surrealist poetry and his obsession with the image of himself as the mythic Minotaur.

The text also explores Picasso's creation of his most famous etching, Minotauromachie, and how it reflects his political views during a time of war.

Throughout the book, Richardson provides a detailed account of Picasso's prolific output during this period, including his paintings of Marie-Thérèse and Dora Maar, who became a muse and collaborator for the artist.

The book concludes with an examination of how the bombing of Guernica inspired Picasso's vast masterwork of the same name, which he painted for the Spanish Pavilion at the Paris World's Fair.

Overall, this book is a comprehensive and captivating look into the life and work of one of history's most influential artists.