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
Portrait of the Artist Holding a Thistle Portrait of the Artist Holding a Thistle Portrait of the Artist Holding a Thistle (or "Eryngium") is an oil painting on parchment pasted on canvas by German artist Albrecht Dürer. Painted in 1493, it is the earliest of Dürer's painted self-portraits and has been identified as one of the first self-portraits painted by a Northern artist. It was acquired in 1922 by the Louvre in Paris. Dürer looks out at the viewer with a psychologically complex but rather melancholy and reserved, serious minded, facial expression. During the 15th century, thistles were symbols of male conjugal fidelity. In 1493, Dürer was