Einstein and Picasso: Mere coincidence?

Abstract

In this interview, Arthur I. Miller, professor of history and philosophy of science in London, discusses the parallels between the lives and works of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, topic of his book Einstein & Picasso: Space, time, and the beauty that causes havoc. He tells what drew him to the topic and talks about the major discoveries he made while researching the book. The fact that both men did their most valuable work during the same period - Einstein devised his theory of special relativity in 1905, while Picasso painted Les Demoiselles D'Avignon in 1907 - prompted Miller to take a deeper look at the relation between them. His main finding was that their nearly simultaneous production went well beyond a mere coincidence.