Pablo Picasso, Portrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach, 1958, Bloch 859

Artist: Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
Title:Portrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach, 1958, Bloch 859
Reference:Bloch 859
Medium:Linocut on Arches Paper
Image Size:25 ½ x 21 in (64.8 x 53.3 cm)
Sheet Size:30 ½ x 22 ½ in (77.5 x 57.2 cm)
Edition:Numbered from the edition of 50.
Signature:This work is hand-signed by Pablo Picasso in blue pencil.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-6928

Historical Description

Pablo Picasso, Portrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach, 1958, Bloch 859; Picasso began experimenting with different techniques of printmaking in the later phases of his career. This linocut is one of his most complex prints he created in this medium, requiring six different linoleum blocks, for six different colors: black, red, green, yellow, brown and blue. The work is inspired by Lucas Cranach The Younger’s painting Portrait of a Woman, 1564, a Renaissance portrait of a noblewoman. Picasso’s re-imagining of this work translates all the important characteristics of the original portrait, such as the rich colors of her dress, and the pose of her hands clasped on her lap, while also using Picasso’s famous geometric reductive style. With sharp lines and shapes, Picasso transforms the portrait from a naturalistic Renaissance painting to a modern experimental retelling. Picasso’s choice to tackle this complicated subject in his first foray into printmaking shows his artistic genius and skill. Truly a labor of love, this print showcases Picasso’s talent in producing impressive and vibrant linocuts.

Created in 1958, Pablo Picasso Portrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach, Bloch 859 is a linocut on Arches Paper. This work is hand-signed by Pablo Picasso in blue pencil. Numbered from the edition of 50.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso, Portrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach, 1958, Bloch 859 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. McVinney, L. Donald. Picasso Linoleum Cuts. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1985. Illustrated as reference no. 1 on pg. 19.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Pablo Picasso, Portrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach, 1958, Bloch 859 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.

Subject Matter: Femme Portrait