Pablo Picasso, Le Vieux Roi (The Old King), 1963

Artist: Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
Title:Le Vieux Roi (The Old King), 1963
Reference:Baer 1338; Bloch 1152
Medium:Color linocut on Arches wove paper
Image Size:25 1/4 in x 20 3/4 in (64.1 cm x 52.7 cm)
Sheet Size:28 1/2 in x 23 1/2 in (72.4 cm x 59.9 cm)
Framed Size:approx. 39 1/2 in x 34 1/2 in (100.3 cm x 87.6 cm)
Edition:Numbered from the edition 160 in pencil in the lower left corner; published by La Patriote, Nice.
Signature:This work is hand signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 - Mougins, 1973) in pencil in the lower right margin.
ID #W-6949

Historical Description

Pablo Picasso's Le Vieux Roi (The Old King), 1963 is an incredible showcasing of the artist's mastery of the linocut. Picasso's linocuts are some of his most sought after graphic work due to Picasso's impact on the medium. Crafted using multiple plates to achieve overlapping colors, the king delights the viewer in shades of brilliant blue, pink, yellow, and brown – with added detailing in black and white. His spiraling blue and pink eyes draw us in, and they gleam with white. His smile is wide and squiggles across his face. He is crowned with a playful piece and one of the spikes droops to the right. The lines are expressive and they trace life and vivacity across the face of the old king. The vibrancy of colors and the simplistic yet bold line work are extremely difficult to achieve in this print-making technique and it shows Picasso's true artistry.

Created in 1963, Pablo Picasso Le Vieux Roi (The Old King), 1963 is an original color linocut on Arches wove paper is published by La Patriote, Nice. Hand signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 – Mougins, 1973) in pencil in the lower right margin, this artwork is numbered from the edition of 160 in pencil in the lower left margin.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso The Old King (Le Vieux Roi) 1963, 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 final sale of the work).

1. Baer, Brigitte. Picasso: Peintre-graveur, Tome V 1959-1965. Berne: Editions Kornfeld, 1989. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1338.

2. Bloch, Georges. Picasso: Tome I, Catalogue de l’oeuvre gravé et lithographié 1904-1967. Berne: Editions Kornfeld et Cie, 1986. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1152.

3. Lieberman, William S. Picasso Linoleum Cuts. New York: Random House, 1985. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 104.

4. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Framed to archival museum grade conservation standards, Pablo Picasso The Old King (Le Vieux Roi) 1963, is presented in a complementary moulding with silk-wrapped mats and optical-grade Plexiglas.

Subject Matter: Portrait Royalty Circus