John Richardson

Sir John Patrick Richardson, KBE, was a distinguished British art historian and biographer best known for his acclaimed multivolume work "A Life of Picasso." The first volume, published in 1991, was followed by subsequent installments in 1996 and 2007, establishing Richardson as a preeminent authority on the artist. His meticulous research and firsthand encounters with Picasso during his time in Provence lent unparalleled depth to his biographical work.

Richardson's career spanned decades in the art world, beginning with his early friendships with influential figures like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. After relocating to New York in 1960, he transitioned from art dealing to full-time writing, producing critical essays and biographies that blended scholarly rigor with engaging prose. His contributions to art history were recognized in 2012 when he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the field.