On 10 October, lovers of art history enjoyed a very memorable evening at Sotheby’s as French artist, author and poet Françoise Gilot celebrated the launch of her new book Françoise Gilot: Three Travel Sketchbooks, published by Taschen. The luxurious limited edition publication produces in facsimile three of Gilot’s travel notebooks from her journeys to Venice, India and Senegal between 1974 and 1981, and showcases the artist's impromptu sinuous drawings that hover between figuration and abstraction. Gilot, who was the lover and muse of Pablo Picasso for nearly a decade and modeled for Henri Matisse, has previously published her memoir Life with Picasso in 1964 as well poetry and stories with her own illustrations. Actress and playwright Thérèse Crémieux , who collaborated with Gilot on the book, joined the artist and Sotheby’s Benjamin Doller for an illuminating evening of conversation. Guests were all ears as Gilot recounted memories from her own life, travels with her husband Jonas Salk and her artistic process. “Sometimes there is just electricity” said Gilot, speaking of what draws her to capture a particular subject. When a guest hoped there might be a New York travel sketchbook in Gilot’s possession, she replied, “Oh no, New York, like Paris, is home.” For images from the night, click ahead. – Kathleen White
