John Richardson

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photography by Olivier Zahm

interview by OLIVIER ZAHM and DAPHNE GUINNESS
photographs by OLIVIER ZAHM

JOHN RICHARDSON is a British art historian, writer, and most importantly, Picasso’s intimate biographer. Since the ’70s, Richardson has lived a flamboyant life in a gigantic loft in New York City, which he tends to like a European treasure chest. In June, 2009, he curated “Mosqueteros,” an exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery of Picasso’s last works, offering the possibility to reconsider these previously ill-received works from the end of the master’s life. Richardson, a long-time contributor to Vanity Fair, is the living memory of modern art. Yet he still thrives on making friends with younger generations. Daphne Guinness, one of John’s best friends, gave me the chance to meet him, one I couldn’t pass up.

PURPLE — You really have some amazing things here in your apartment.
JOHN RICHARDSON — They’re…