[Literature & Art] Picasso, Pablo. (1881–1973) & Brassaï (1899–1984). Conversations avec Picasso - SIGNED BY PICASSO AND BRASSAI. Paris: Gallimard. 1964. First edition. 53 photographs by Brassai. 8vo. Half red calf with four raised bands. Signed boldly in black ink by Picasso above the printed dedication « A Picasso pour son quatre-vingt-troisième anniversaire ce bouquet d’instants retrouvés de ses riches heures ». The half-title inscribed by Brassai: « Pour Maud Leclerc avec toute son amitié / Brassaï / èze-village 27 décembre 1964 ». Very Fine.



"Read this book if you want to understand me."—Pablo Picasso



Conversations with Picasso offers a remarkable vision of both Picasso and the entire artistic and intellectual milieu of wartime Paris, a vision provided by the gifted photographer and prolific author who spent the early portion of the 1940s photographing Picasso's work. Brassaï carefully and affectionately records each of his meetings and appointments with the great artist, building along the way a work of remarkable depth, intimate perspective, and great importance to anyone who truly wishes to understand Picasso and his world. "Notoriously demanding about pictures of his own work, Picasso came to prefer Brassai to all the other photographers who recorded his output. Brassai eventually photographed the entire sculptural oeuvre of Picasso, achieving dramatic effects by "posing" the objects with unusual camera angles and moody lighting achieved by a single powerful lamp hidden behind a watering can in the stable Picasso was using as a studio." (Joseph Fitchett, 'Brassai-Picasso:40 Years of Dialogue,' NY Times 4/22/2000)