"Matisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein" by Gertrude Stein is a captivating exploration of modern art's revolutionary forces, interwoven with the personal dynamics of three titans of the Parisian art scene. Through Stein's incisive art criticism, readers delve into the avant-garde world of Cubism, witnessing the innovative works of Matisse and Picasso. Stein's unique perspective sheds light on the creative collaboration and friendship that blossomed between these artists, shaping the course of 20th-century art. She unveils their influence on each other, catalyzing an artistic revolution that challenged conventional notions of beauty and form. Within the pages of this book, readers encounter the abstract expressionism of Matisse and Picasso, as well as Stein's own contributions to the Parisian art scene. Through her keen observations, Stein illuminates the interconnectedness of their works, revealing the underlying currents of innovation that propelled modern art forward. Stein's writing serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of these artists and their profound impact on the art world. Matisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein stands as a testament to their enduring friendship and their shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Gertrude Stein was an American author, poet, dramatist, and art collector. Stein was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (now part of Pittsburgh) and raised in Oakland, California. In 1903, she relocated to Paris and lived there for the rest of her life. She hosted a Paris salon where important modernist luminaries in literature and art, including Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, Ezra Pound, Sherwood Anderson, and Henri Matisse, would gather. Stein's quasi-memoir of her Paris years, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, was published in 1933 and written in the voice of her life partner, Alice B. Toklas. Stein, the youngest of five children, was born on February 3, 1874, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (which merged with Pittsburgh in 1907), to upper-middle-class Jewish parents Daniel Stein and Amelia Stein (née Keyser). Her father was a wealthy businessman who owned real estate. They talked German and English at home. Gertrude's siblings included Michael (1865), Simon (1868), Bertha (1870), and Leo (1872).
