In Greek mythology, the Amazons were a legendary race of warrior women and the Minotaur was partman and part-beast, known as the monster of Crete. It is a recurring symbol in Pablo Picasso’s work during the 1930s political upheavals in Spain. The aggression of the lustful Minotaur overpowering the Amazon in this image reflects the mood of civil disorder in Picasso’s homeland. This print belongs to a collection of Picasso’s etchings known as the Vollard Suite. Ambroise Vollard was an important art dealer in Paris who gave Picasso his first solo exhibition in 1901. Picasso was born in Spain but lived much of his adult life in France. He was arguably the most innovative and influential artist of the 20th century. He worked in almost every artistic medium but his major innovation, with friend and fellow artist Georges Braque (1882-1963) was Cubism. Picasso exhibited in the first exhibition of Surrealist painting in Paris in 1925. He continued to produce art up to the time of his death.