Amicale

Possession of the “secret de la jeunesse, a quality of graceful and disarming innocence powered by a vigorous optimism of spirit”, is how Picasso described the appeal of the young David. Between April and June 1954 Picasso worked exhaustively, creating more than forty drawings and paintings based on Sylvette David’s image, in addition to sheet metal sculptures, assemblage sculpture and ceramics. Picasso noticed David in Vallauris and handed her an accurate pencil study of herself, drawn from memory over her fence and featuring her high ponytail. David was inspired and encouraged by Picasso to paint; he told her that “art is the best thing for happiness”. After marrying and raising a family, David (now known as Lydia Corbett) started painting in earnest at the age of 45, and now works in her studio in Devon and in France. Lydia, who signs her work twice, including Sylvette David, creates work with echoes of the style of Marc Chagall, but also recalls her earlier association with Picasso himself – some of her paintings feature portraits of the two of them together. Latterly her style has changed with her age. Now 82 she paints predominantly in Oils, in a bold and striking manner. Some examples of picture dimensions: 40 x 50 and 35 x 41.