In the spring of 1973, the French writer André Malraux was invited down to Provence by Jacqueline, Picasso's widow of barely a few weeks. It was a singular summons, with a clear purpose: to win the support of the writer-turned-statesman in ensuring her husband's accumulation of art treasures wouldn't be broken up by the French state.

Strewing canvases before him, Jacqueline quietly impressed on Malraux the importance of Picasso's collection of works by fellow artists. Some pieces had been purchased from Picasso's dealers, others given in exchange for his own pictures; all made up an intimate chronicle of his huge range of friendships and tastes.