Pablo A Man and Emotion (standard:drama, 24172 words)
Author: Waldo Pepper	Added: Apr 06 2002	Views/Reads: 3530/2964	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A Biographical novel of Pablo Picasso and the events leading up to his first exhibition of Cubism.

Pablo A Man And Emotion by Waldo Pepper 

Page 1 

Mark Spencer had just finished his lunch at one of Vancouver's most
renowned rrestaurants and was making his way along Robson Street to 
were he had parked his car.  Spencer was a free lance writer who had a 
small cabin up on the Sunshine Coast and a recent case of writers block 
had brought him into Vancouver for a rest.  Making his way along the 
crowded street he occasionally peered into the shops and at the people 
that passed him by.  Approaching one of the small galleries and framing 
shops that lined the avenue Mark stopped for a moment to look over the 
array of paintings in the display window.  Most were copies of prints, 
shipped by the hundreds to these establishments to be sold on the West 
Coast.  Off to the right of the window lay a brightly colored print of 
a clown and tucked behind it was another canvas that caught the young 
man's another moment then entered the shop. 

"May I help you sir," said an attractive young salesgirl looking up from
a print that she was in the process of framing on a large table. 

"Yes, I was wondering if you could give me some information on one of
your canvases that you have in your display window," he replied. 

"Most certainly sir," she said.  "Which painting did you wish to see?" 

"It was the canvas that you have partially buried under the print of the
clown in your display window," he replied.  "I believe that it may be a 
Picasso print." 

The young woman moved to the window exhibition and pulled the canvas
from its hiding spot.  Attached to one small corner of its sealed back 
was a small envelope that appeared to contain a piece of  paper.  The 
woman returned to were Mark stood and placed the painting on her work 
table so that the young man could easily see it. 

"I am afraid that this canvas is nothing but a copy of Picasso's Nude
Den and as you can see in excellent condition and may even date back to 
when the original was painted but it 

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is still an imitation." 

"Are these imitations common in todays marketplace," he asked? 

"Yes, they are all the rage in Europe," she replied.  "But I would
estimate that this painting was created by a young artist who was 
copying one of the artists of the day.  This was commonly done to learn 
their trade." 

"I see," he said picking up the canvas and holding it into the light for
a better view.  "Has this painting been hidden away in a collection 
somewhere?" 

"Why yes, I think so," she replied looking through some papers.  "I
thought that I might have the sellers name here but unfortunately I 
have replaced it.  By the way there are two charcoal sketches that go 
with the painting.  They are in sealed tubes and have not yet been 
opened.  If you are interested I could make you a good deal on the 
lot." 

"I like the paintingputting down the canvas."It will look good in my
study on the Sunshine Coast.  I am also writing an article on Picasso 
for a magazine and this painting will give me some inspiration." 

"You have made a good choice sir," said the young woman as she began to
wrap the canvas.  "I will just locate the sketch for you and you can be 
on your way." 

Thirty minutes later Spencer was maneuvering his car onto the small
ferry boat for the twenty minute crossing to the Sunshine Coast.  In 
the trunk of his car he had carefully stowed the painting and the paper 
tube that contained the charcoal sketch. 



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