Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund's Odyssey
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund's Odyssey Details
About the Author David Douglas Duncan was an acclaimed combat photographer for Life magazine for much of his life. He spent the late fifties working on several books about Picasso, including the bestselling Picasso and Jacqueline and Goodbye Picasso, and spent several months living with the artist at his villa on the Riviera. Read more
Reviews
This fine art photojournalism coffee table book will put a lump (no pun intended) in the throat of Dachshund owners everywhere. The close friendship between the photographer, Picasso and Jacqueline is incredibly obvious from this book. Lump was Dave Duncan's pet, who only came along for the ride in Duncan's fabled, custom-made 300 SL Mercedes futuristic-looking sports car that after trading some photos for the car he drove to assignments all over the world for more than 40 years and 300,000 plus miles. After they arrived at Picasso's estate, Villa La Californie, Lump made himself at home and stayed with the Picasso family for the next sixteen years. He was the only pet to whom Picasso ever really showed affection. Picasso memorialized their meeting by painting a ceramic plate portrait of Lump during their first meal together in 1957. The dog seemed to enjoy looking at the new plate Picasso had made in his honor, although he was probably hoping for something meatier? Their time together would last until 1973 when they both died and moved on to another home beyond the stars. An incredible access to Picasso's private life, his subject's complete relaxation in front of the camera and the skill of one of the 20th Century's great photojournalists combine to make this a truly marvelous book. The book's reader/viewer can't help but feel that they are right there observing the private world of Picasso as unnoticed as the room's interior walls themselves. Because the subject is one of the greatest artists of all time, the book is more than just a tribute to a loyal family dog; it's a peek into the mind of the dog's master. Picasso was noted for "working, working, working." Lump provided the artist with some amusement and unconditional love and loyalty. Only Lump had total run of the house. Picasso also had a boxer named Yan, but he was practically ignored by the "Maestro." Yan and Lump kept each other company, when none of their human masters were around and looked all the world like the "Laurel and Hardy" version of dogs at Villa La Californie. This is not a book that will give the reader much information about Dachshunds. It's a very well done and personal family album and tribute to a family pet. It will probably bring a tear to the eyes of the reader. This seventeen-year photo essay is the measure by which all such books in the future will be judged. I felt like Duncan must have been floating around in an invisible bubble recording his pictures while the subjects remained totally unaware of his presence. Since that obviously wasn't the case, it's an even greater tribute to the photojournalistic talents of this book's creator. Duncan and Picasso were kindred souls both of whom truly loved dogs.