This whimsically charming, springtime drawing of a small bouquet of flowers decorates the frontispiece for the book, Picasso’s Sketchbook.  Its bright, colorful detail makes it one of Picasso’s more fanciful dedications.

Created on May 3, 1961, this unique drawing was created on the title page for Picasso’s Sketchbook, published by Harry Abrams, Inc., New York in limited edition.  It features a small dedication in the lower right, just above the artist’s signature and date which are written in black crayon.  Also printed on the paper is the publishing and printing information for the text, including its catalogue card number in the Library of Congress.  Two photo-certificates are included with the piece, which are hand-signed by Maya Widmaier Ruiz Picasso and Claude Picasso, authenticating the drawing as a work of their father, Pablo Picasso.

A series of varying dots, lines, and scribbles all come to order from the seemingly chaotic array of color to create a beautifully charming floral image.  A large, abstracted flower bouquet, held together in a vase – portrayed by a jumble of large colored dots – is central to the composition.  Four flowers are evenly spread throughout the page, anchored by a larger flower in the center and flanked by greenery on either side.  Each of the flowers are detailed with bright, yellow petals and red-orange centers, contrasting nicely with the warm, green tones of the paper and the lighter shades of green and blue which make up the stems and leaves of the bouquet.  A row of green, wavy lines and large blue dots collectively make up the landscape which serves as a foundation for the piece, bordering the bottom margin of the image, just below the text.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It 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 final sale of the work) :

1.    Maya Widmaier Ruiz Picasso - signed and embossed photo certificate, features her thumbprints on the verso, authenticating the piece.

2.    Claude Picasso - signed and dated photo certificate, authenticating the piece.

3.    A Masterworks Fine Art, Inc. Certificate of Authenticity will also accompany the work.

About the Framing:
Conservation framed with archival materials and museum quality, this work is set in a bright, Baroque-style frame.  The golden hues of the moulding compliment the rich deep tones and accentuate the bright colors of this work.  The sculptural details also serve to enhance Picasso’s rhythmic and iconic stroke throughout the drawing.  Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.