Françoise Gilot (b1921) French, Colored Lithograph. Titled "George Sand" and numbered 18/55. This lithograph is a remarkable intersection of visual art, literature, and strong women who changed the world. The lithograph’s creator, Françoise Gilot, was the most famous lover of Pablo Picasso and a well-known artist in her own right. Françoise bucked taboo and shocked many when she published her memoirs, My Life with Picasso, detailing not only the highlights of their life together in Paris, but also the physical abuse she suffered at Picasso’s hands. The print’s subject is George Sand, the pen-name of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, a woman often considered the first feminist for her radical ides of equality between the sexes and her refusal to wear skirts or dresses; only pants. Not only did Sand as well as Gilot take famous lovers in Paris—Chopin and Didier being among Sand’s conquests—but George Sand was also one of the most popular writers of her time, outselling both Victor Hugo and Honoré de Balzac in England during the 1830’s and 1840’s. That Gilot was well acquainted with Sand's literary output is certain given that the former studied studied English at Cambridge University. Ultimately, to own a portrait of George Sand created and signed by Françoise Gilot would be to own not only a piece of art, but a piece of art history. Overall Size: 30 3/4 x 27 1/4 in Sight Size: 20 x 16 1/2 in