today, at Notre-Dame de Vie,
Jacqueline’s flock of sheep
grazes beneath olive trees
of a studio now locked,
while Igor appears to watch
for someone he never knew
I was so lucky to find this book The Silent Studio (1st edition, 1976) by David Douglas Duncan at Vancouver’s Macleods’s Books (451 Pender Street) awhile back. MAP
The book itself is a work of art. Filled with photos by Duncan of Picasso’s studio after his death in 1973. Haunting, sad, magical, silent. The book (no captions and mainly photos) is a love letter to Picasso’s last wife Jacqueline Roque.
Everyone tried to shield Jacqueline from the obvious agony of having professionals, court-ordered, inside her home cataloguing everything, even the contents of Pablo’s and her clothes closets. Only rarely was a voice heard in that enormous house, then it was muted. The experts have now returned to Paris. Now it’s over. She seems so relieved and exhausted. (from Preface)
DO not know how many hours over the years I have looked at these pictures. One of the books I never get tired of. You are the first I have met that love that book too. hege soerlie