Man in the mirror

Pablo Picasso and his 19-year-old model, Sylvette David, in his studio in 1954. [Photo by Prancois Pages/Paris Match]

The show, presented by Sofitel luxury hotels, began its world tour last year with the United States, then Europe, and has now come to Asia.

According to Michael Issenberg, chairman of AccorHotels Asia Pacific, the exhibition will go to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand later this year.

Oliver Picasso did some sightseeing around Beijing like many other tourists do. He went to the Great Wall and old alleyway (hutong) houses, and bought two works by a Chinese painter from the city's 798 art zone.

Although born with the famous family name, Olivier Picasso hasn't turned to art himself.

He started his career as a lawyer and then moved on to become a documentary filmmaker. Last year, he produced a documentary Picasso the Legacy. In 2004, he wrote a book, titled Picasso: the Real Family Story, which was translated into various languages. The Chinese version is expected to be published soon.

"My mother wanted us to live an ordinary life. She doesn't want us to think that everything was given (due to the family name)," says Oliver Picasso, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Pablo Picasso with a distinct nose and deep brown eyes.

When the famous artist died in 1973, Oliver Picasso realized the significance of being a member of the Picasso family. Until then, it was just "grandpa who was an artist".

"In such a family, the influence is everywhere. My grandfather is also everywhere－in exhibitions, on TV, in movies, in books and in ... auction houses.

"I know the name is a privilege."