The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Picasso, Provence, and Douglas Cooper

by John Richardson (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0226712451

ISBN-10: 0226712451

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The Sorcerer's Apprentice is John Richardson's vivid memoir of the time he spent living with and learning from the deeply knowledgeable and temperamental art collector, Douglas Cooper. For ten years the two entertained a circle of friends that included Jean Cocteau, W. H. Auden, Tennessee Williams, and, most intriguingly, Pablo Picasso. Compulsively readable and beautifully illustrated, this book is both a triple portrait of the author, Cooper, and Picasso, and a revealing look at a crucial artistic period.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is John Richardson's vivid memoir of the time he spent living with and learning from the omniscient but irascible art collector, Douglas Cooper. For ten years the two entertained a circle of friends that included Jean Cocteau, Isiah Berlin, Fernand Leger and, most intriguingly, Pablo Picasso. Compulsively readable and illustrated throughout, this book is a triple portrait of the author, Cooper, and Picasso, as well as a revealing look at a crucial artistic period.

From the Back Cover

Publisher : University of Chicago Press (September 25, 2001)
Language : English
Paperback : 328 pages
ISBN-10 : 0226712451
ISBN-13 : 978-0226712451
Item Weight : 1.12 pounds
Dimensions : 6.13 x 1.1 x 9.13 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #560,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #383 in Art History (Books)
- #1,207 in Artist & Architect Biographies

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20 ratings

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L.A. Lewandowski

A Memoir from Picasso Biographer

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021

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I enjoyed this memoir immensely. John Richardson's relationship with Douglas Cooper was complicated, however he is generous in his portrayal of his mentor. The memoir is peppered with references to many art and literary luminaries, and I adore Mr. Richardson's gossipy style. I feel like I received lessons from a private tutor, and prompts on what biographies to read next. Highly recommended.

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TS555

Hard to Put Down

Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2015

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This book was recommended to me by friends who work in the art world. Even though it is not available in Kindle format, I ordered the paperback and enjoyed it enormously. I knew (and know) very little about art history of this period (Picasso, Braque, Legre, etc.), but it was a fascinating look into what was going on with John Richardson, best known as the leading biographer of Picasso, as the narrator who 'lived it'. Every page bursts with rich gossip and anecdotes, it made me dizzy. The only criticism, which I had heard from others, is the lack of high quality illustrations that would have helped the reader appreciate some of the stories recounted. While just about every page does include a picture, they are tiny, and in B & W. I had my iPad with me as I read along, so I could look up many of the famous paintings pointed out by Richardson, as well as to look up many of the unforgettable and fascinating personalities mentioned (e.g., Toto Koopman, anyone?).

3 people found this helpful

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mary in new york city

Terrific info about Picasso and his circle

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2019

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A very interesting account of Picasso and the people around him, especially for people who are fascinated by Picasso.

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James P. Monson

a fascinating life

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2011

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I have always admired Richardson's writing, especially in his relationship with Picasso where he is the top authority. To add the complex personality of Douglas Cooper to the formula makes it all the more interesting.

4 people found this helpful

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Gail D.

The Sorcerers Apprentice

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2013

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I could not put this book down. It is filled with information, gossip and cultural references. Just my cup of tea.

4 people found this helpful

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Isabel Turrent De Krauze

Good piece of gossip

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2008

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John Richardson's book-The Sorcerer's Apprentice-reveals fascinating details and anecdotes on Picasso and other artists he met through Douglas Cooper, his long time lover.Those chapters are well written, deep, interesting and amusing.The rest of the book is less amusing:Richardson draws a mercyless portrait of Douglas Cooper, which might have served his author as a cathartic exercise, but adds nothing to the reader's knowledge.

2 people found this helpful

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Bradley F. Smith

Astonishing cultural history

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2006

By Picasso's most distinguished biographer, this memoir of life in Provence in the 1950s with art collector Douglas Cooper mesmerizes with its cast of quirky characters. The inside glimpses of Picasso at work and play are the book's highlight, but one can't underrate other protraits of the arts intelligentsia of the time. Many great candid photos enhance the superbly written text. Why did Richardson stay with Cooper for more than a decade if Cooper, the world's first huge cubist collector, was as horrid a person as portrayed? That's unanswered, and Cooper is long dead and unable to defend himself. Both men, not quite closeted gays in the '40s and '50s, were esteemed companions for some of the era's greatest creatives, so one must temper this acidic portrait with a bit of doubt. Well worth reading even if you haven't looked into the author's Picasso bio, still in progress.

6 people found this helpful

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M. D. Dunning

A Charmed and Charming Life

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2011

Compared with John Richardson's 'A Life of Picasso' volumes, 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' might at first seem like a lightweight gossipy airport lounge filler; the sort of publication designed to answer few questions while raising funds for the more serious endeavour. However we can rejoice for this is not the case. 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Picasso, Provence, and Douglas Cooper' is an important book in it's own right and should be taken quite seriously. This book will be enjoyed for all it's forthright recollections including it's pronouncements on Picasso, Cooper, Braque, de Stael and Art and Art Society in the early post war years.

Many writers have already put forward their devoted recollections of Picasso (as if he were a demi-god on first name basis) - There are few of them still alive (excepting Gilot and Laporte) who have been able to convincingly portray the less godly side of the artist. Richardson is now stepping into memoir territory and he does so with a good deal of respect, admiration (not too much) and above all pragmatism. Where others have told of a universe controlled by Picasso, existing only for Picasso, Richardson remains soberly objective. This euphoria free examination of the networks which revolve around their sun makes it clear how Picasso was very a much a subject within his own principality.

Importantly the book opens a very generous window into the world of the seemingly decadent post war progressive upper class. These people are aware that the Art-world, as well as society in general, will awaken from it's long dormancy (or torpor) and finally embrace modernism through modern Art. Who is Cooper but a talented art critic, collector and well heeled mentor/lover - who gives us Richardson. Richardson in turn gives us Picasso - the man and not the legend. Could this all have been foreseen by Picasso? Possibly. We know Picasso had a soft spot for posterity and as he himself pushed seventy, meeting an earnest twenty five year old Richardson, he may have recognised an opportunity.

Richardson has noted everything in a judgement free and diplomatic frame of respect to Cooper, Picasso and the whole band of devotees. There is the feeling that this 'tertulia' (a newly created group of devoted friend/followers) exist only to stroke the ego of superstar Picasso during the time of his late oeuvre. Oddly, by not drawing attention to many of Picasso's insecurities (death, impotence, irrelevance) they may have inadvertently made matters worse. Typically, Picasso the pope of paradox, reserves his worse venom for himself.

While Picasso rages harder against the tides of nature, the mercurial and even scurrilous Cooper realistically bows, softening in time. Richardson affectionately commends his old chum Cooper to our consciousness, as he relates to us the man who was his conduit to the stars. Cooper's serious writings may have been superseded but there was one last bitchy critique (concerning Picasso's sometimes patchy late works) that refuses to sink from view - The incomprehensible smearing of a man on death's doorstep. Was it revenge or plain honesty that caused him to make such a deliberate break of faith? As we come to know Cooper, we could even believe it was both.

And what of Richardson himself. His ever varied and charming life is without doubt a fascinating read. In 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' we meet Richardson the apprentice as he overtakes his mentor (the sorcerer Cooper) and breaks free from a futureless relationship with him. Richardson has his own moment of truth re Picasso. Jacqueline had kept stating "Pablo is not dead"- Picasso is still very much alive. The entire Art world (particularly the art market) will concur. Richardson is speaking after all about the inheritors when he pointedly states," the old shaman's shadow..continues to bedevil his heirs" which seems particularly amusing. After all, isn't John Richardson one of them.

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Geoffrey R Currey

Dreadful physical product quality

Reviewed in Australia on January 23, 2021

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Book turned up safe and sound and on time. Good! Product quality APPALLING! Text paper like hairy blotting paper and half-tones (photos) washed out and virtually illegible. Cover stock, more feeble blotting paper. All this was particularly disappointing as the book was intended as a gift for a very dear friend. EMBARRASING! I have purchased well over 70 eKindle and hard cover books from Amazon in the last decade or so and for A$50+ dollars, I expect a lot better. I can't return the book but I think a credit to my account for the purchase price would be the least Amazon can do to keep a long-time customer happy. Geoff Currey

drummoyne

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2015

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