In July 1937 Lee Miller and Roland Penrose travelled to Mougins in the south of France with painters Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington and Man Ray, and surrealist poets Paul Eluard and his wife Nusch. Miller took many photographs of the group, including this snapshot of Picasso who was staying at the hotel with Dora Maar. Miller appears to have caught the painter slightly off guard as he meets the lens of the camera with his dark, piercing gaze. Miller’s surrealist eye has however created an intriguing composition. The spotted design on Picasso’s shirt is continued over the back of his guest and into the blurred white roses and dark foliage in the background. The up-turned umbrella adds to the effect.