Now available again, this lively and accessible introduction to one of the world's most beloved artists is filled with colour illustrations, fascinating biographical information, and insight into Picasso's artistic development. What did Spain look like when Picasso was born? What kind of community did he grow up in? What was his studio like? Who were the people who had the most influence on his art? The answers to these and other questions help bring into focus the Spanish artist's brilliant career and his influence on 20th-century art. Colour reproductions of Picasso's masterpieces are interspersed with photographs of his personal life, all presented in a dynamic layout that reflects the artist's creative vision and boundless energy. Picasso's antiwar stance, his tumultuous love affairs, and his outspokenness are all examined with journalistic verve. This book not only provides a solid background on Picasso's monumental body of work, but also offers entertaining anecdotes, historical context, and a fresh perspective on an enigmatic and endlessly compelling figure. AUTHOR: Hajo Duchting is an art historian and author of numerous books, including Paul Klee: Painting Music (Prestel). ILLUSTRATIONS: 100 colour