227 - Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973)

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) Smiling Face, 1962 Oil pastels. Signed, dated 2.2.62, and inscribed “for Leila.” On the title page of David Douglas Duncan’s book, *Les Picasso de Picasso*, Edita, Lausanne, 1961, 271 pp. (31 x 26.5 cm). Height 30, Width 25.2 cm. Provenance: - given by Picasso to Leila Khanki, David Douglas Duncan’s first wife, along with their bookplates, 1962; - his estate, David Douglas Duncan Collection, Côte d’Azur; - gifted by Sheila Macauley, David Douglas Duncan’s second wife, to the current owner, Côte d’Azur. In 1962, David Douglas Duncan asked his friend Pablo Picasso what he thought of the layout of the book he had just dedicated to him: “Les Picasso de Picasso”. For six months, the war photographer stayed at the painter’s home in La Californie, Cannes, to photograph him and document the works in his collection. The book features 102 color and black-and-white plates depicting the Catalan master’s masterpieces. Picasso’s response is immediate: “You never told me how to paint, so I’ll never tell you anything about how you photograph or present your work.” This historic copy was inscribed by Picasso for the photographer’s first wife, Leila, from whose estate it originates.