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Thames & Hudson to publish portrayal of life with Picasso

25.05.10 | Victoria Gallagher

Thames & Hudson is publishing a personal portrayal of one of the best-known figures in 20th-Century art. The Boy Who Bit Picasso, by Antony Penrose, tells of Penrose's life and his childhood friendship with Pablo Picasso.

Constance Kaine, director and commissioning editor at the illustrated publisher, said: "It's all about the experience of a little child meeting a creative genius. I thought the story was very inspirational."

The text recounts Penrose's boyhood memories of his famous playmate, who was a friend of his parents, photographer Lee Miller and painter and poet Roland Penrose. Memories include their pretend bullfights on the floor, the messiness of Picasso's house, the goat that slept in a crate outside Picasso's bedroom and the biting incident mentioned in the title. Photographs taken by Miller, illustrations by children and pictures of Picasso's artwork, accompany the text.

Kaine said because the tale is a true story it sets the book apart from other children's titles on the market. "It's very real life—its about someone very famous and big to know," she added. Kaine too said it would appeal to an adult market because it provides a personal view of a famous character.

She added: "It's a mixture of photography and art which is very nice. It's an art book and a book about creativity." The publisher also said that the selection of Picasso's pictures in the title would make the book an "accessible introduction" to the artist.

The Boy Who Bit Picasso will be published on 6th September as an £8.95 hardback.

• Book
• Pablo Picasso
• Thames & Hudson
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• Victoria Gallagher