Fernande Olivier then Picasso was the most famous artist of the age, and the publication of Olivier's memoirs carried commercial potential. The memoir, entitled "Picasso et ses amis" (Picasso and his Friends), was published in 1930 in serialized form in the Belgian daily "Le Soir", despite Picasso's strong opposition. He hired lawyers to prevent the publication of the series (only six articles were published). The payment she received helped her to improve her lifestyle somewhat, but she spent it quickly. Olivier remained forgotten until 1956, when, deaf and suffering from arthritis, she succeeded in persuading Picasso to pay her a small pension
William Bell (artist) William Bell (artist) William Bell, born about 1734/5, was an English portrait painter originally from Newcastle upon Tyne. In around 1768 he moved to London, to be a student in the Royal Academy of Arts. While there, in the year of 1771, he received a gold medal for his painting of Venus entreating Vulcan to forge arms for her son Æneas. William Bell's best-known works were the portraits painted for the family of Delaval, of Seaton Delaval Hall. These paintings earned Bell the patronage of Lord Delaval, and in 1775 he exhibited two views of Delaval Hall. A portrait he