Portrait (Possibly Raymond Radiquet)

c. 1919

Treatment in Zürich and meeting Tzara

While seeking treatment in Zürich for depression and suicidal impulses, Picabia met Tristan Tzara, whose radical ideas thrilled him. Back in Paris with his mistress Germaine Everling, he found himself among the Dadaists — Breton, Éluard, Soupault and Aragon, who met at Certa, a Basque bar.

15. september 1919

Son born: Vincent Martinez-Picabia

1920

Edits the magazine Cannibale

In 1920 Picabia edited the magazine Cannibale, even more radical than his own review 391.

1921

Renounces Dada

In 1921, having developed an interest in Surrealism, Picabia publicly denounced Dada. Of his changes of course he wrote: “If you want to have clean ideas, change them like shirts.”

1922

Solo exhibition at the Galeries Dalmau

In 1922 Picabia mounted a large solo show of his machinist work; that year he also had a solo exhibition at the Galeries Dalmau in Barcelona.

autumn 1923

A ballet commission for the Ballets Suédois

In the autumn of 1923 Rolf de Maré, director of the Ballets Suédois, commissioned from Erik Satie a ballet on Blaise Cendrars's scenario “Après dîner”, with sets by Picabia: after their falling-out in early 1922, painter and composer were working together again.