The most important scientist of the twentieth century and its most important artist went through their periods of greatest creativity almost simultaneously and in remarkably similar circumstances. will discuss their greatest breakthroughs: Einstein's special theory of relativity and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. It turns out they were both working on the same problem: the nature of space and time and, more particularly, simultaneity. When they produced these astonishing works, Einstein and Picasso were not the distinguished elderly figures that later became so familiar: they were in their twenties, unknown, feisty, dirt-poor, and prone to getting into trouble – their personal and creative beauty caused havoc.
Arthur I. Miller is Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at University College London. He has lectured and written extensively on nineteenth and twentieth century science and technology, cognitive science, scientific creativity, and the relation between art and science. His many books include Insights of Genius and Einstein, Picasso, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. His most recent book Empire of the Stars: Friendship, Obsession and Betrayal in the Quest for Black Holes has just been published in the UK and is being translated into Greek.
