Pique, Pablo Picasso

"Others have seen what is and asked why. 

I have seen what could be and asked why not. ” 

(Pablo Picasso, Pablo Picasso: Metamorphoses of the Human Form : Graphic Works, 1895-1972)

Pique

Pablo Picasso is arguably one of the most well known and influential artists of the 20th century. Although he is famous for his fortunate paintings he is a rare example of multifaceted artist.  He was a painter, a sculptor,a ceramicist, a stage designer,a poet and playwright and a printmaker.    

Picasso created lithographs, etchings, drypoints, linocuts and woodcuts.  Always searching for something new, he experimented a lot with these techniques. Some of Picasso’s graphic works are combinations of several techniques. Pique is a perfect example of his experimentation and virtuosity.

It was the summer 1955 when Picasso moved to the South of France with his second wife Jacqueline Roque. 

Far from the printshops of Mourlot and Frélaut in Paris, Picasso began to make linocuts with the printer Hidalgo Arnéra in Vallauris.  He experimented with the printing methods, from the physical carving and inking of the plates to the chemical makeup of the inks, and created about 200 linocuts in this period.

Arnéra was an involved collaborator in Picasso’s experimentation.  Frustrated by the technical limitations of traditional colour relief printing, Picasso, invented his own 'reductive' method. While Picasso had occasionally used the linocut technique before to a limited extent, his previous efforts essentially mimicked the woodcut. 

As he worked with Arnéra, however, he developed the medium to its full expressive potential, using methods as unique as sanding the plate for texture and wetting an inked sheet under the shower to achieve particular textural effects.  His innovative linocut technique allowed Picasso to work with fluidity to realise his unique creative vision.

Picasso's palette for many Linocuts (from 19959 to 1962) is limited to a range of earth-tones soft tans and browns. The sequence in which the colours were printed progressed from light to dark , from cream to caramel, to light brown , and was completed by the dominant black design printed over the accumulated muted tones.

In subject, the Linocuts of 1959 begin with a series of bullfight scenes, where Picasso focused on the interaction and drama of the main participants, who are presented at close range. The embroidered costume of the matador is made much of and delight is taken in the swirling cape: the bull seems to dance rather than charge.

Description:

Artist: PABLO PICASSO (Málaga1881-1973 Mougins)

Title: Pique,1959/1960

Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Linoleum Cut in Colours on Arches vellum paper

Paper Size: 62.3 x 75.3 cm / 24.5 x 29.3 in

Image Size: 53.3 x 64.2 cm / 21 x 25.3 in 

This original linoleum cut is hand signed in pencil by the artist "Picasso" in the lower right margin. It is also numbered in pencil "44/50" in the lower left margin.

The work was published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris and printed by Hidalgo Arnera, Vallauris in 1960 in a limited edition of 50 signed and numbered impressions.

The paper bears the Arches watermark.

Literature:

1. Bloch, Georges. 1975. Pablo Picasso: Tome I, Catalogue de l'oeuvre Grave et Lithographie 1904-1967, edition Kornfeld et Klipstein, Berne.

Reference:Bloch Bloch 911

2. Baer,Brigitte. 1994. Picasso: Peintre-Graveur, Tome V, Catalogue Raisonne de l'OEuvre Grave et des Monotypes, 1959-1965, Editions Kornfeld, Berne.

Reference:Baer 1228 B.b.2.a

More information and Images HERE

Please feel free to come to our Gallery in Hampstead to see this beautiful Piece of Art. 

Otherwise you can come visiting us at The London Original Print Fair. 

It takes place in the stunning palace of Royal Academy of Art in London from the 23th to the 26th of April 2015.