Some 40 carefully chosen juxtapositions of masterpieces by both artists trace a dialogue that ranks among the most fascinating in art history. This publication brings Pablo Picasso's (1881-1973) encounter with the Cretan-born old master Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco (1541-1614), vividly to life. El Greco's unmistakable painting style won him considerable fame in his day. Soon after his death, however, his work was largely forgotten. It was only around 1900 that an El Greco revival was launched, with Picasso serving on the front lines. His engagement with the Greek-Spanish master not only went far deeper than has previously been assumed but also lasted much longer. From his first encounter with El Greco's works shortly before 1900 until the end of his life, Picasso not only referenced but engaged in a fascinating artistic dialogue with the old master.

Caravaggio's (ca. 1571-1610) spectacularly new way of painting was also enthusiastically received by his Dutch contemporaries and inspired them to new illustrative inventions. This catalog demonstrates how his followers in Utrecht developed a new type of musicians' portraits through the dialog with its Italian model. German text.