In the early years of the twentieth century, a retired legal clerk in Montmartre named Leon Angely collected Picassos, Modiglianis, and Utrillos before any of these artists were well known. And he purchased many of these creations after his failing vision left him almost completely blind. Legend has it that Leon was assisted by a young girl who served as his eyes, and based on her description of the work he would make his selections.
This homage to the ‘blind man who was crazy for color’ uncovers previously unknown information about this important yet largely forgotten figure who inspired one of Picasso’s most powerful engravings, featuring a ‘Blind Minotaur’ being led by a little girl. The book is illustrated with original artwork by Picasso’s model and muse, Sylvette David, who posed for the painter when she was only nineteen years old, in 1954. Now eighty-seven, Sylvette credits Picasso with inspiring her to devote her life to painting. Her work is frequently exhibited in Europe, and in 2021 she was invited to lecture at the Musee Picasso is Paris.
Includes 16 black-and-white and 25 color illustrations.