Françoise Gilot, a renowned painter who had a romantic relationship with Pablo Picasso and later separated, passed away on April 26, 2021, at the age of 101. Gilot was a prolific artist in her own right, known for her colorful and abstract paintings that were influenced by her travels around the world.
Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France in 1921, Gilot began painting at a young age and went on to study at the Sorbonne and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. She first met Picasso in 1943 when she was just 21 years old and he was 61. They began a romantic relationship that lasted for nearly a decade and resulted in the birth of two children, Claude and Paloma.
During her time with Picasso, Gilot was an integral part of the art world in Paris. She was friends with many of the other artists of the time, including Henri Matisse and Georges Braque. However, she eventually grew tired of Picasso’s infidelities and his controlling behavior, and in 1953 she left him and moved to the United States with her children.
In the years following her separation from Picasso, Gilot continued to paint and exhibit her work around the world. She became known for her use of bright colors and bold brushstrokes, which were influenced by her travels to places like India, Japan, and Africa. She also wrote several books about her life and experiences as an artist, including “Life with Picasso” (1964), which became a bestseller.
Throughout her long career, Gilot received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the art world. In 2012, she was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government for her lifetime of achievements. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris.
Gilot’s passing marks the end of an era in the art world. She was one of the last surviving members of the group of artists who defined the Parisian art scene in the mid-20th century. Her legacy as an artist and a woman who refused to be defined by her relationship with Picasso will continue to inspire future generations of artists and feminists alike.
