Michael Peppiatt's lively, engaging writing introduces us to many notable art-world personalities, such as the Catalan painter Antoni Tapies, whom he visits in his studio, and moments of disillusion, such as his meeting with the self-mythologizing artist Balthus. Art criticism blends with anecdote: Peppiatt recalls riding with Lucian Freud in his Bentley, drinking with Bacon in Soho, and many more revealing moments. This collection of Peppiatt's most perceptive texts includes encounters with underrecognized artists, such as Dachau survivor Zoran Music, or Montenegrin artist Dado. 320 pages hc