• Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971) [Picasso, Pablo. (1881–1973)] Signed Picasso Portrait

Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971) [Picasso, Pablo. (1881–1973)] Signed Picasso Portrait

Signed program from an Italian performance of the composer's piano concerto, with him as soloist.  "VIII Concerto Sinfonico dell'Orchestra del Teatro al La Scala," [Milan], conducted by [Herman] Ermanno Scherchen, 17 June 1926, signed on the third page in fountain pen "I Stravinsky" beneath a reproduction of the 1917 portrait of the composer by Picasso. A little toning and old damp staining to upper inner margins, original printed wrappers, split along head and foot of spine but overall fine. 8vo.

Both pioneers within their own movements, Picasso and Stravinsky became friends in Italy just before the First World War in 1917, brought together by Sergei Diaghilev, the savvy impresario of the Ballets Russes who was toying with the idea of commissioning a ballet. The two men immediately hit it off and spent a great deal of time immersing themselves in the popular culture of Rome and Naples. They continued their friendship by exchanging small pieces of art and music by mail, and the present portrait is one of three made of the composer by Picasso during this time. Eventually, they collaborated together on ‘Ragtime’ and, two years later, Diaghilev commissioned his ballet, Pulcinella, for which Picasso designed the sets and costumes.