Publication Date: January 23, 2024
A tangled and vivid portrait of the women caught in Picasso’s charismatic orbit through the affairs, the scandals, and the art—only this time, they hold the brush.
The women of Picasso’s life are glamorous and elusive, existing in the shadow of his fame—until 1950s aspiring journalist Alana Olson determines to bring one into the light. Unsure of what to expect but bent on uncovering what really lies beneath the canvas, Alana steps into Sara Murphy’s well-guarded home to discover a past complicated by secrets and intrigue.
Sara paints a luxurious picture of the French Riviera in 1923, but also a tragic one. The more Sara reveals, the more cracks emerge in Picasso’s once-vibrant social circle—and the more Alana feels a disturbing convergence with her own life. Who are these other muses? What became of them? What will become of her?
Desperate to trace the threads, Alana dives into the glittering lives of the past. But to do so she must contend with her own reality, including a strained engagement, the male-dominated world of art journalism, and the rising threat to civil rights in America. With hard truths peeling apart around her, it turns out that the most extraordinary portrait Alana encounters is her own.
During a 30-year span from 1923 to 1953, Pablo Picasso captured the attention of women who got caught up in the mystique of the talented artist.
Combining fact and fiction, author Jeanne Mackin showcases a man fully committed to his art in Picasso’s Lovers. In the process, he collects and discards numerous women, particularly drawn to those considered off-limits.
The storyline focuses on Alana Olsen, an American woman seeking to write a story about Picasso to secure a spot among her male counterparts. The challenge? At least three other magazine writers have the same assignment.
Following a lead found amongst her dead mother’s belongings, Alana finds one of Picasso’s models. Their subsequent discussion reveals a life-changing secret as Alana is transported back to an idyllic summer in 1923.
Although Alana’s character is fictional, the author accurately portrays multiple women who fell under Picasso’s influence, only to be left behind. Relationships play a vital role in the story, especially as Alana tries to leverage her discoveries with memories of her mother.
Picasso’s Lovers shines a light on the man behind the legend through the lens of two different eras.
Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels, including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages, and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction. She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at Goddard College and won journalism awards. She lives in the Finger Lakes area of New York State.
