One hundred years on, a new exhibition in Rome celebrates that journey with 100 paintings, drawings, watercolours, sketches and stage costumes looking at how Italy and the Ballets Russes theatrical troupe inspired the artist. "The trip to Italy was very important for Picasso, who was very interested in artists like Bernini, in Baroque sculpture and painting," she added. The two months of his Grand Tour around Italy would prove fateful for the 36-year-old. Shortly after his arrival in Rome he met Olga Khokhlova, a ballet dancer who would become his wife and principal muse. And the Vesuvius volcano in southern Italy created such an impression on the artist he included it in "Parade".

Source: The Local September 22, 2017 13:07 UTC