During the post-war years, Picasso turned largely to ceramics. Pablo Picasso ceramic “Fish” Service, Plate Q, 1947 A.R. 20 is from the first year that Picasso created ceramics with the Ramié’s in Vallauris. His joy and interest in the medium certainly comes through in this fantastic and bright dish. Using a palette of bright hues of yellow, red, and blue, Picasso uses the ceramic medium to the full. A yellow fish with blue stripes, red fins and a two-tone blue tail sits placidly in the middle of the plate. The rim of the plate is decorated in swathes of yellow, circling the fish with fanfare. Picasso worked often with fish, and they seem to be an animal with which he feels kinship or at least considers artistically interesting. There is no doubting the wonderful nature of this plate, from the colorful fish to the shiny finish there is much to be admired. This plate comes from a ‘set’ of service wares all designed with fish motifs. Playful as he was, there is a certain joke being made about the decoration of the plates and the possible content! Again, as with much of his oeuvre, there are multiple layers to uncover on the way to appreciating Picasso’s ceramics.

Created in 1948, this Madoura round plate of white earthenware clay with decoration in engobes and oxides (yellow, light blue, blue, red) under glaze is inscribed ‘Madoura’ and bears the monogram of Suzanne Ramié on the underside; from the edition of 300.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso ceramic “Fish” Service, Plate Q, 1947 A.R. 20 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 raisonné no. 20.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.