A constant influence in Picasso’s life was the painter Dora Maar, with whom he had a parallel relationship (the closest was in 1930’s). She featured as his Muse in most of his Abstract Works and was responsible for documenting his most famous work “Guernica.” After the liberation of France, Pablo Picasso fell in love with a French art student, Francois Gilot.
Twenty-six years younger than Picasso, Maar was close to the surrealists. Her face and hands fascinated not only Picasso but also the photographer Man Ray, who took her picture several times.
When Picasso abandoned Maar for another woman in 1945, she had a nervous breakdown and became a recluse.
Photo of Dora Maar (1936) by Man Ray.