The Bridge in the Roussillon

Dora Maar (1907– 1997)

Title: Le Pont dans le Roussillon
The Bridge in the mist.

Medium: Original Drawing on paper, Estate stamped lower right “DM 1998”

Size: 9” x 12” (210 x 270 mms)

Reference: Unknown.

Biographical Note: Henriette Theodora Markovitch alias Dora Maar was a French photographer and painter of Croatian descent, best known for being the lover and muse of Pablo Picasso - she was the «Weeping woman». She was present at the time that Guernica was crated and took photographs as Picasso made the work. She was, without doubt, a pivotal figure in the life of the greatest artist of the 20th centruy! She was born in Tours, Western France, on November 22, 1907. She died, 89 years of age, in Paris on July 16, 1997. Her father was Croatian and her mother was born in Tourraine, France. Dora grew up in Argentina. Picasso met her in January 1936 at the terrace of the Café “Les Deux Magots” in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris. The famous poet Paul Eluard, who accompanied him, had to introduce him to this beautiful woman. She spoke Spanish fluently, so Picasso was even more fascinated. Their relationship lasted nearly nine years. Dora Maar became the rival of blonde Marie-Thérèse Walter who had given a daughter named Maya to Picasso. Picasso often painted Dora (she suffered because she and called her his «Private Muse.» Dora did suffer from depression and Picasso made many portraits of the “Weeping woman” with her as a subject. Picasso ultimately treated Dora very badly and she never really recovered emotionally from the relationship. After Picasso she lived mainly as a recluse with a few old friends for company the many years after the relationship had died. She was eventually supplanted by Francoise Gilot, a younger and less emotional figure.

Note: The relationship between Picasso and Dora broke up in the 1940’s and Dora lived as a recluse for the rest of her long life suffering from depression and anger at the treatment she had received at the hands of the artist. All the items pertaining to the relationship she kept and on her death in 1997 these were all sold in several auctions. The items from the estate were stamped with an estate stamp as can be seen on our present example. Dora was a considerable artist and a great photographer in her own right. Her body of excellent work attests fully to this fact. the present drawings, although a minor work, is a testament to her skill and ability as a draughtsman.