Pablo Picasso, Visage, 1959

Artist: Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
Title:Visage, 1959
Reference:Ramié 432
Medium:Madoura turned pitcher of white earthenware clay with decoration in oxides on white enamel (brown, blue)
Image Size:DIMENSIONS: 8 7/16 in x 4 1/2 in (22 cm x 11 1/2 in)
Edition:Numbered from the edition of 300.
Signature:Features the inscribed stamps: 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and 'EDITION PICASSO' on the bottom.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-5908

Historical Description

In Pablo Picasso Ceramic Visage, 1959, a woman stares out from the ceramic with simple features, yet her expression, like everything Picasso creates, instantly captures our attention. The strokes of blue lines marking the nose, eyes, and lips, give her an almost innocent, playful gaze. The differing tilts of her eyebrows allow for her expression to be seen differently from both sides, as well as frontally, creating a dynamic experience. When mixed with her brown hair sweeping at the sides of her lovely face, a sense of carefree fancy and youth come to mind, motifs that Picasso often loved to explore in his works.

One of the characteristics that makes Picasso's ceramics so wonderful to behold, is the way in which he works with the form of the ceramic to create a piece that integrates the physical form into the decorative motifs. In this case, Picasso makes use of the handle of the pitcher, coloring it brown and including it with the hair of the woman. This inclusion gives a greater three dimensional nature to the piece as it functions like a pony-tail coming off the back of the head. This increases the sculptural quality of the work.

Created in 1959, this is a turned pitcher of white earthenware clay with decoration in oxides on white enamel (brown, blue). Numbered from the edition of 300, this work features the inscribed stamps 'Madoura Plein Feu' and 'Edition Picasso' on the bottom.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso Ceramic Visage, 1959 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices accompanying the final 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. 432 on pg. 228
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

Subject Matter: Classic Under $15k Contemporary