Who was Dora Maar and how did she assist Pablo Picasso with Guernica?

Dora Maar (1907–1997) was a French photographer and Surrealist artist who became a significant figure in the life and work of Pablo Picasso beginning in 1936.1

While Maar is often remembered for her personal relationship with the artist, she was a talented professional in her own right, known for her work in fashion, advertising, and photography. Regarding the creation of Picasso’s mural Guernica in 1937, Maar provided essential assistance to Picasso during the completion of the final work, which was executed in just over three weeks.12

Furthermore, Maar documented the evolution of the painting through her photography. Her pictures of Picasso creating this epic work have become vital visual records, serving as important historical documents of the painting's development.1