PABLO PICASSO | LE CORSAGE À CARREAUX (B. 601; M. 175)

Picasso became fascinated with lithography in the 1940s – around the same time he met Françoise Gilot.  Inspired by Françoise’s spirit and determined to master the challenging grease-based printmaking technique, he repeatedly practiced her likeness on stone under the tutelage of master lithographer Fernand Mourlot. Mourlot noted that Picasso approached the medium boldly and confidently from the start, while most novice lithographers would tread with care. This particularly strong, yet sensitive, depiction of Françoise speaks to the artist’s passion for both the art form and his muse.