Blond Silvett David: the mystery of the unknown Muse of the great Picasso

Artists perpetuate the images of his muses in paintings, sculptures and other works. Them they draw inspiration for creativity. Pablo Picasso is no exception. All of his work was attended by seven muses. Most of them became his lovers. Some he even got married, as françoise Gilot. But the story of a young Silvett David (Sylvette David), which has long posed for the great artist, truly charms chastity.

19-year-old Silvett David is depicted almost 60 works by Pablo Picasso, including the famous sculpture "Head", "Silvett". They depict a young French woman with unruly bangs and high pony tail. The artist's works of this creative period are stored in a well-known art museums, and private collections.

As the great Picasso met a new Muse

In 50-ies of the last century, the great artist lived in the centre of pottery production in the South of France, Vallauris. Atelier Pablo Picasso was next to a small furniture workshop of British designer Jellinek Tobias (Tobias Jelliner). The famous artist was in a state of creative crisis due to depression. Affected by the breakup with his wife, who left with the children.

A spring day in 1954, his gaze lingered on the blond lady with cute freckles and a high ponytail. The girl radiated an appealing freshness of youth. The creative impulse of the artist were drawn to the easel. From the moment he began to paint portraits of a stranger.

Picasso and his young Muse in the photo taken Toby Ellinikon, groom of Silwet.

Memories Muse of a great artist

Over the next three months, a young French woman, accompanied by the groom frequented the Atelier of a famous master. She refused to accept any payment for his work, fearing that it was her to something oblige. Meeting new Muse quickly healed the wounds of the lone Spaniard. Silvett David sat patiently, feeling a little awkward next to the great Picasso.

Popularity unknown Muse

Pablo Picasso introduced the world to the first 20 paintings in Vallauris, in October 1954. His paintings were exhibited at the art gallery of Mary Dunbar (Mary Dunbar). On all canvases present a girl with curly blonde hair styled in a high bun.

Soon the streets you can see girls with that hair. Silvett David woke up famous after her picture appeared on the cover of Paris Match in may 1955. Learned it on the street and asked for an autograph. One day she was approached by a well-known screenwriter Jacques Tati (Jacques Tati) with a proposal to act in films. The girl refused, since she did not want to have a special relationship with producers, as was customary in the film world of that time.

Brigitte Bardot visiting Picasso in his Villa La California, 1956

The story of a girl and a horse tail

Silvett David became a celebrity thanks to the great Picasso. She was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the fall of 1934. The girl's father owned an art gallery in Paris, studied art. The only daughter growing up surrounded by artists, art historians. In search of safety, mother and daughter were evacuated from the French capital in the hinterland, away from the hostilities.

Silvett David in 1954.

In the second marriage she changed her name to Lydia Corbett. Has seven grandchildren from three children. In his 83 years, she looks younger than her age and still attracts the attention of the blond hair, radiant look. The Muse of the great Picasso living in the UK since 1968. She devoted her life to family and art.

80-year-old Silvett David (Lydia Corbett) at the exhibition in Bremen in the spring of 2014

Watercolors and sculpture Lydia Corbett are a success and exhibited in renowned galleries. At the last exhibition of Pablo Picasso's she's delighted to find that same portrait with autograph "for Silvett", which is now kept in a private collection.