James Rosenquist Flame Out for Picasso, from Homage to Picasso, 1972 is a stunning work from the 1973-74 portfolio, which was compiled together by various artists and consisted of signed and numbered lithographs, screen prints, etchings, and aquatints, either in color or black and white. In the early 1970s, art historian Wieland Schmied decided to invite artists to pay homage to Picasso for his 90th birthday; many among them were the Spaniards’ close friends and French artists. International artists, including pop artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, eventually received an invitation to participate in the portfolio.

Rosenquist divides the composition of his work into two by placing a measuring tape in a zigzag down the middle, wrapped around two pencils facing in opposite directions. On the left side of the work is a vibrant red background and a circular impression of a coin pressed into the paper, where it intersects with the pencil.  A triangle sits beneath the circle, east Asian characters placed in the center with splatters of white speckled throughout the red background. On the Left, a sheet of paper has been crumpled, creating indents and texture throughout. A square sits comfortably at the top, and another character is placed in the middle. Though it blends and fades into the reflection on the paper behind it, it is still very distinguishable. Creating this surreal, exploratory piece as an homage to Picasso, Rosenquist has drawn us into a world of vibrancy and surrealism, something Picasso had done throughout his career.

Created in 1966, this lithograph in colors on Arches paper is hand-signed by James Rosenquist (North Dakota, 1933–2017) in pencil in the lower right margin and is numbered from the edition of 15 Artist Proofs in pencil in the lower left margin, aside from the numbered edition of 175.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
James Rosenquist Flame Out For Picasso, from Homage to Picasso, 1973 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Glenn, Constance. Time Dust James Rosenquist: Complete Graphics: 1962-1992. Rizzoli, 1993. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 65.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade conservation standards, James Rosenquist Flame Out For Picasso, from Homage to Picasso, 1973 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with mats and optical grade Plexiglas.