Pablo Picasso ceramic Chouette Mate (Mat Wood-Owl), 1958 is a charming rendition from the artist’s ceramic oeuvre. Given the limited number of Picasso’s ceramic works, it is quite meaningful that the artist devoted much of his time depicting his favorite animals. This delicate vase inhabits qualities of whimsy and playfulness that Picasso is known for. Colored in a beautiful red, the owl stands out in any room. Painterly, black lines are used to portray the owl’s unique features. The owl’s round eyes are encased within two rectangles while the artist uses triangles to convey its wings and chest. Delicate white lines give the impression of features.

Most intriguing is Picasso’s use of the distinct shape of the pitcher to mirror the body of an owl. He works the owl into the form of the pitcher, using the thinner neck of the pitcher as the head, and the rounded body as the torso of the owl. The stand of the pitcher becomes the smaller feet of the owl. The protrusion from the backside of the pitcher is formed into the tail. In this way, Picasso blurs the line between the inanimate and the living.

Created in 1958, this Madoura white earthenware clay turned pitcher with decoration in engobes (red, black), knife engraved with glaze inside is inscribed in black ‘EDITION PICASSO’ with the ‘Madoura Plein Feu’ and ‘Edition Picasso’ pottery stamps on the reverse. Numbered from the edition of 200.

CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ & COA:
Pablo Picasso ceramic Mat Wood-Owl (Chouette Mate), 1958 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. Ramié, Alain. Picasso Catalogue of the edited ceramic works 1947-1971. Madoura: 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonne no. 405

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.