A whimsical fish sits placidly in the center of Pablo Picasso ceramic Service Poisson Tureen (“Fish” Service Tureen), 1947 A.R. 22. Three fish adorn the top of the tureen, a singular fish in bright colors made up of a sweeping yellow back, a red belly made up the body of the fish, green and blue crowning the back of the fish and it's tail; the remaining two fish are cooler in tone. Swipes of light and dark blue with green accent lines move throughout the middle make up the details of one of the fish, the other painted with blues, blacks, and greens, summoning visuals of exotic fish.  Colorful lines and dots of blue and yellow are painted on the sides of the tureen, gestural swipes that enhance the beauty of the tureen without distracting from the fish atop the lid. The colors emit a tropical sensation, reminding the viewer of the warmth of the sun and the salty taste of the ocean air.

Picasso, who often riffs on ancient Greek art in his work with regards to subject matter, such as the minotaur, fauns and the like, is once again exploring another ancient Greek trope of fish plates. These are plates that were created in Attica and later in Southern Italy that are decorated with sea-life, gaining the name ‘fish plates’. Very different in artistic style, Picasso explores the trope by introducing his own artistic flourish. Instead of using the palate traditional of Greek fish plates of terracotta red and black with some white, Picasso has modernized his take with bright colors.

Created in 1947, this Madoura bowl of white earthenware clay with decoration in engobes and oxides (yellow, ochre, blue, red, green, black) under glaze is is inscribed 'EDITION 45 PICASSO | D'APRÈS PICASSO | MADOURA | GR' in blue and black ink on the underside and is from the edition of 300.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso ceramic Service Poisson Plate (“Fish” Service Plate), 1947 A.R. 22 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. 22.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.