"The current exhibition had its genesis in casual conversation several years ago with Ernst Beyeler of Basel, Switzerland, and his American liaison, Kurt Delbanco. The proposal was advanced that Beyeler might be willing to lend a selection of works for exhibition in the United States. Originally some two dozen paintings by Picasso were selected by the museums, but this past summer, as enthusiasm for the exhibition mounted, the number of works increased dramatically. Braque and Léger were added both to complement and contrast with the works by Picasso, and several private Swiss collectors were persuaded to lend works to help fill in certain gaps. The final result was a selection of eighty-three works that well represented the diverse careers of Picasso, Braque and Léger." -- Foreword.