Marie Laurencin, intimate of Braque, Picasso, Matisse and Appollinaire, was born in 1883. She held a celebrated place in the early part of the 20th century during a period when Art exploded with genius. She lived in the Montmartre District of Paris and became part of the circle revolving around the Steins. Though her early portraits show the imprint of the Fauves and Cubists, her romantic and delicate temperament asserted itself against these schools.

She was prim, conservative and always wore a kitchen apron when she painted. She had a celebrated love affair with Guilliame Appollinaire, great French modern critic, but was never able to marry him because of demands of her domineering mother. Called the 'muse' by he...