Artists don't achieve financial success and critical acclaim during their lifetimes as a result of chance or luck. The author documents Picasso's courting of dealers, critics, collectors and curators as he established his reputation during the first 40 years of the 20th century. The book desribes the care, patience and resourcefulness invested by Paul Rosenberg, Picasso's dealer and close collaborator from 1918 to 1940, in building the financial value and public acceptance of Picasso's art. It is based on quotes from previously unpublished correspondence between Picasso and dealers, collectors and museum curators.