Picasso, Modigliani, and a Blind Art Collector Named Leon Angely

In the first decade of the twentieth century, a retired legal clerk in Montmartre named Léon Angély collected Picassos, Modiglianis, and Utrillos before any of these artists were well known. And he purchased much of the artwork when his failing vision left him almost completely blind. Legend has it that Léon was assisted by a young girl who served as his "eyes," and based on her description of the work he would make his selections. The book is illustrated with original artwork by...
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In the first decade of the twentieth century, a retired legal clerk in Montmartre named Léon Angély collected Picassos, Modiglianis, and Utrillos before any of these artists were well known. And he purchased much of the artwork when his failing vision left him almost completely blind. Legend has it that Léon was assisted by a young girl who served as his "eyes," and based on her description of the work he would make his selections. The book is illustrated with original artwork by Picasso's model and muse, Sylvette David, who modeled for Picasso when she was only nineteen years old, during a period of three months in 1954. Now eighty-seven, Sylvette credits Picasso for inspiring her to devote her life to painting and drawing. This homage to the 'blind man who was crazy for color' reveals previously unknown information about this important yet largely forgotten figure who inspired one of Picasso's most powerful engravings, which features a 'Blind Minotaur' being led through a labyrinth by a little girl.