Gingko Trees in Central Park
Francoise Gilot (born 1921)

Francoise Gilot is a French painter who divides her time between New York City and Paris. At the age of 21, she distinguished herself as one of the most respected artists of the emerging School of Paris. She wrote the bestselling book, Life with Picasso, about her years as Picasso’s artistic muse and lover (1944-1953), during which she associated with Braque, Chagall, Cocteau, Matisse, and other legends of the art world. She later married the American vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk.

Today, Gilot is highly respected for art, which features strongly structured canvases, often dominated by cadmium red, as well as large “floating paintings,” lithographs, monotypes, and aquatints.

Gingko Trees in Central Park was created in oils on canvas between 2002 and 2004.