The Picasso Museum, Paris: Catalogue of Paintings, Collages, Reliefs, Sculpture, and Ceram

Picasso revived the tradition of the all-around artist who explores the whole range of painting, sculpture, graphics, engravings and ceramics. This is nowhere more evident than in the Picasso Museum in Paris, which opened in late 1985, unveiling to the world hundreds of works that he had hoarded in his home or studio for years. Key paintings from most of the major periods are included among the 58 color reproductions. Sculptures shown here range from early African-inspired wood carvings to sheet-iron cutouts to a small plaster owl. As a ceramist, Picasso combined glazes, pastels and slips in quirky, unconventional ways, producing pieces of unorthodox beauty. His little-known paper constructions are here, as are the three-dimensional cubist ""picture reliefs'' that bridge the gap between painting and sculpture. With its 871 small halftones, this catalogue is essential for the serious student. Rare photographs follow the artist from young rebel to celebrity. (October)