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Claude Picasso, the youngest son of renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, ed away at the age of 76. He not only managed his father's artistic legacy but also took on the responsibility of overseeing Picasso's estate. Born in 1947, Claude initially worked as an assistant to photographer Richard Avedon. However, his role expanded significantly in 1989 when he was granted control of Picasso's estate by a court decision. Last month, he handed over estate management duties to his daughter Paloma.
Claude Picasso faced the complex task of organizing the artist's extensive collection and preventing unauthorized reproductions and counterfeits of his work. He encountered legal challenges, including a lawsuit from his half-sister Maya Widmaier-Picasso, who criticized his decision to allow Peugeot-Citroen to use their father's name and initials in 1999.
In recognition of his efforts in managing Picasso's legacy, Claude received 's highest honor, the Légion d’Honneur, in 2011. Despite his unexpected role, Claude expressed his dedication to preserving his father's legacy and ing artistic scholarship and exhibitions.
Claude's ing coincides with the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso's death, marked by numerous exhibitions in his honor. Claude's mother, the talented artist Françoise Gilot, who never married Picasso, also ed away earlier in the year at the age of 101.
Despite a tumultuous history, which included a divorce and severed communication with their children, Claude sought recognition as Picasso's rightful heir and successfully won a legal battle for a share of the artist's assets following his ing in 1973. Claude is survived by his wife, Sylvie Vautier, two children, and a half-sister named Aurelia Engel, who is the daughter of Françoise Gilot.
Jean Dubreil 
