- 84
Pablo Picasso
Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Pablo Picasso
- Buste de femme d'apres Cranach le Jeune (B. 859; Ba. 1053)
- Colour linocut
- Image: 647 by 532mm; 25 1/2 by 21in
- Sheet: 765 by 570mm; 30 1/8 by 22 3/8 in
Linocut printed in colours, 1958, signed in blue crayon, numbered 36/50, published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris, on Arches wove paper
Literature
Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler cited in 'Introduction: A Free Man', in Roland Penrose and John Golding, eds., Picasso 1881-1973 (London, 1973)
Condition
With full margins, generally in good condition, except the red and the yellowish-brown are slightly attenuated and the sheet is light-stained. A tear at the upper sheet edge extends into the image to the right of the woman's head (approx. 9 cm in length), touched-in in areas, and the verso shows additional discoloration at the back of the image, framed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
When Picasso moved to the South of France in 1958, he found himself deprived of the printing facilities for colour lithography provided by his master printer Fernand Mourlot in Paris. Without the close contact with the workshop he found colour lithography time-consuming and frustrating. Craving a print medium which allowed him to work spontaneously and independently in colour, he adopted the medium of the linocut, used locally for posters advertising bull fights. Together with the young printer Arnéra, Picasso re-invented this medium, using the soft lino block to create fluid lines, layering different colours to create intricate patterns and textures.
Picasso's dealer, Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, explained the source of the artist's inspiration: 'One of Picasso's notable characteristics was his need to transform existing works of art, to compose "variations on a theme", as it were. His point of departure was often simply a reproduction in a book; or even a postcard sent by myself, such as Cranach the Younger's Portrait of a Woman [1564] in Vienna [collection Kunsthistorisches Museum], which became his first linocut in colour. Among other things, what struck him in particular about this painting was the way the woman's shadow "rhymes" with the upper part of her body .... This need to transform was certainly an important characteristic of Picasso's genius'.
Portrait de Jeune Fille, d'après Cranach is one of Picasso's first colour linocuts and a technical tour de force showing incredible skill and the ability to manipulate the medium. The result is one of his most important and sought-after printed works.
Picasso's dealer, Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, explained the source of the artist's inspiration: 'One of Picasso's notable characteristics was his need to transform existing works of art, to compose "variations on a theme", as it were. His point of departure was often simply a reproduction in a book; or even a postcard sent by myself, such as Cranach the Younger's Portrait of a Woman [1564] in Vienna [collection Kunsthistorisches Museum], which became his first linocut in colour. Among other things, what struck him in particular about this painting was the way the woman's shadow "rhymes" with the upper part of her body .... This need to transform was certainly an important characteristic of Picasso's genius'.
Portrait de Jeune Fille, d'après Cranach is one of Picasso's first colour linocuts and a technical tour de force showing incredible skill and the ability to manipulate the medium. The result is one of his most important and sought-after printed works.