Both pioneers within their own movements, Picasso and Stravinsky became friends in Italy just before the First World War in 1917, brought together by Sergei Diaghilev, the savvy impresario of the Ballets Russes who was toying with the idea of commissioning a ballet. The two men immediately hit it off and spent a great deal of time immersing themselves in the popular culture of Rome and Naples. They continued their friendship by exchanging small pieces of art and music by mail, and the present portrait is one of three made of the composer by Picasso during this time. Eventually, they collaborated together on ‘Ragtime’ and, two years later, Diaghilev commissioned his ballet, Pulcinella, for which Picasso designed the sets and costumes.