18.7 x 29.7 cm - dimensions of the photograph frame
dedication in marker on bottom margin: pour mi Arturo| mi amigo Picasso | el 27.6.71., in p.d. corner ink inscription: 32922, on the reverse of the prints numbers: 41 i 75
Original binding in the form of a stylish gilded leather and embossed frame in which the photograph stood in the Rubinsteins' home; framed in New York.
The photo with a similar - but different - shot of Picasso (he looks into the lens) is reproduced in many books about Rubinstein, and was sold at a Rubinstein auction on July 3, 2002 by Poulain-Le Fur in Paris at Le Palais des Congres de Paris. The photo offered here was reproduced in the German edition of A. Rubinstein's book My Long Life, 1980. In the photo, Picasso is looking to the right, someone or something has caught his eye. So a second shot was taken, and Picasso signed both photos with the same dedication in content and gave them to Rubinstein. The signatures differ slightly in the placement of words etc. The men met in Spain during World War I, during the 1916/1917 artistic season, Rubinstein gave 100 concerts in Spain at that time, he was already known there, adored, and already spoke fluent Spanish. The men found themselves at the same premiere of Diaghilev's ballet - for which costumes and decorations were designed by Pablo Picasso, among others. During the intermission of the performance, at the bar, the painter approached the pianist and, to be sure (or in jest...) asked if he was the pianist Rubinstein. Arthur immediately guessed who he was - but made sure by almost exclaiming: Picasso! And then they both burst out laughing, went to dinner after the performance and talked for several hours about everything. "That night our beautiful friendship was born," Rubinstein later wrote. After World War II, in the spring of 1958, Picasso invited Rubinstein to his French estate to paint his portrait. It turned out that he had painted 24 portrait drawings: "as many as there are Chopin preludes," he was to say.
Wojciech Grochowalski, chairman of the board of the Arthur Rubinstein International Music Foundation and director of the Rubinstein Piano Festival