Portrait of Sylvette David

The model for this painting was (Lydia) Sylvette David, also known by her married name Lydia Corbett. A French woman who worked in a pottery studio near Picasso's studio in Vallauris during the summer of 1953, Picasso created 40 works inspired by her. With her grave beauty and tumbling blonde hair tied in a coquettish ponytail, Sylvette essentially launched a thousand French ponytails. There was a time when the model was at the center of the media breaking hearts throughout Europe; however, only 19 years old at the time, she was so timid that she did not enjoy the limelight or the power that came with it. To Sylvette, her looks brought her deep discomfort; resulting in cloaking her body in long skirts or men's clothes. Picasso recognized this and rather than treat the girl like a sexual being as he tended to with most models, he treated her with tenderness and distance.
SKU: 45337
Creator: Pablo Picasso
Date: 1954
Original Medium: oil on canvas
Location: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
© Succession Picasso 2012