It would be more true to say that Gopnik's need to see Picasso as a rascal deforms his view of Picasso's art.
Gopnik's view of Picasso's artwork was sullied by his personal distaste for the artist. 
mnli hypothesis: Gopnik's view of Picasso's artwork was sullied by his personal distaste for the artist.  premise: It would be more true to say that Gopnik's need to see Picasso as a rascal deforms his view of Picasso's art.