AT A TIME WHEN THE PUBLIC VALUED ONLY CLASSIC WORKS...

GERTRUDE STEIN TRUDGED UP THE HILL TO DISREPUTABLE MONTMARTRE, WHERE SHE POSED FOR YOUNG, UNKNOWN PICASSO 80 TIMES

Portrait of Gertrude Stein by Pablo Picasso, 1904, Metropolitan Museum, New York / Elisabeth Rawson

Today La Goutte d'Or just down that hill is as far from convention's gaze as Montmartre was then...

and Stein might be as fascinated by its off-beat energy. One feels it in the conviviality of its beauty salons and tailors' workshops, the individualism of its hairstyles, the Sapeurs' cheerful irony, the striking attire and the universal amiability. 
 

Venturing into La Goutte d'Or follows her spirit.

End of this chapter on immigrant vitality.

*     *     *

The next chapter, 

II.V.

Family outings