Pablo Picasso, Visage à la barbiche (Face with Goatee), 1968-1969 A.R. 600

Artist: Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
Title:Visage à la barbiche (Face with Goatee), 1968 - 1969
Reference:A.R. 600
Medium:Madoura red earthenware clay square plaque with engobe ground, engraving enhanced with oxides (white, green, blue, black) under partial brushed glaze with black patina
Image Size:12 1/4 in x 12 1/8 in (31 cm x 30.8 cm)
Edition:Numbered from the edition of 50.
Signature:This work is stamped with the ‘MADOURA PLEIN FEU’ and ‘EMPREINTE ORIGINALE DE PICASSO’ pottery stamps on the reverse.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-5243

Historical Description

Pablo Picasso ceramic Visage à la barbiche (Face with Goatee), 1968-1969 A.R. 600 reveals a mysterious and intriguing portrait of a man; only the most minimal facial features are delineated in bold hues of black, green, blue, and white. His checks, eyebrows, and mouth are highlighted with bright white, that is softened by his grey-blue nose and dark green hair. This figure carries an expression of steadfastness and thought, engaging his viewers with his piercing blue eyes housed  under a slightly furrowed brow, pursed lips, and characteristic goatee. Picasso was endlessly interested in exploring the human face and its vast range of emotions and complexities. In this plaque, we see an exploration of colors and textures and how those can be used to convey human emotions, but also to impart a personality onto the face. This man with his distinctive goatee and bright blue eyes surely must mean something to all that view him. Picasso’s most successful approaches to transferring the human condition through art are conveyed through his simplistic, effortless use of line and brush stroke, and this marvelous work perfectly exemplifies this talent.

Created between 1968 and 1969, ceramic Face with Goatee (Visage à la barbiche) A.R. 600 is a red earthenware clay square plaque with engobe ground and engraving enhanced with oxides (white, green, blue, black) under partial brushed glaze with black patina. From the edition of only 50, this work is stamped with the ‘MADOURA PLEIN FEU’ and ‘EMPREINTE ORIGINALE DE PICASSO’ pottery stamps on the reverse.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso ceramic Face with Goatee (Visage à la barbiche), 1968-1969 A.R. 600 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: Galerie Madoura, 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 600.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

Subject Matter: Portrait Goat