Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, and ceramicist whose career reshaped the trajectory of modern art. Best known as the co-founder of Cubism and for his enduring innovations across style and media, Picasso created over 20,000 works in his lifetime. His artistic journey evolved through distinct periods—from the emotionally charged Blue Period to the delicate palette of his Rose Period, the geometric breakthroughs of Cubism, and his later ceramic works that reflected a lifelong spirit of experimentation. Picasso’s ability to reinvent visual language made him one of the most sought-after artists at auction. Sotheby’s has presented hundreds of his works across categories—from early drawings and paintings to sculpture and editions—cementing his legacy with collectors worldwide. His iconic painting Femme à la montre achieved a record price of $139 million at Sotheby’s in 2023, underscoring the enduring demand for his masterpieces. Beyond painting, Picasso produced a vast range of prints, drawings, and ceramics, many of which have become coveted collector pieces. His art spans movements, countries, and decades, capturing everything from intimate portraits to bold political statements like Guernica. Today, Picasso’s work is held in major museum collections around the world and continues to be a cornerstone of the global art market. At Sotheby’s, new Picasso works for sale appear regularly in our Impressionist and Modern art auctions, offering collectors rare access to pieces by one of the most influential figures in art history.

Pablo Picasso

Modern Day Auction

Pablo Picasso 1881- 1973 Compotier et verres dated 14 juin 43 (upper right); dated 14 juin 43 (on the reverse) oil on canvas 21 ½ by 28 ¾ in. 54.5 by 73 cm. Executed on 14 June 1943.

compotier et verres

Property from a Distinguished European Collection

Property from a Distinguished European Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Tête d'homme barbu signed Picasso, dated 11.10.65. II (lower left); dated 11.10.65. (on the verso) watercolor, ink wash, brush and ink and charcoal on paper 25 by 19 ½ in. 63.5 by 49.5 cm. Executed on 11 October 1965.

tête d'homme barbu

Property from a Private Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Arlequin et nu signed Picasso (lower right) charcoal and pencil on paper 7 ¾ by 10 ½ in. 19.7 by 26.7 cm. Executed in Winter 1919-20.

arlequin et nu

Property from a Distinguished European Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 L'Étreinte signed Picasso (lower left) India ink over linoleum cut printed in white on Arches wove paper sheet: 24 ⅜ by 29 ⅜ in. 61.9 by 74.6 cm. Executed in 1964; this rincée impression is one of only seven of this state recorded in Baer.

l'étreinte

Casting Light: Property from a Private Collection, California

Casting Light: Property from a Private Collection, California Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Tête signed Picasso (upper right); dated 15.4.58 (on the reverse) oil on canvas 21 ½ by 15 in. 54.6 by 38.1 cm. Executed on 15 April 1958.

tête

Property from a Distinguished European Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Le Peintre signed Picasso (upper left); numbered 6/350 (lower left); dated 13.10.64. (on the verso) brush and ink and pen and ink over collotype 38 ⅜ by 29 ¼ in. 97.5 by 74.3 cm. Executed on 13 October 1964.

le peintre

Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Le Chien savant signed Picasso and dated 6.1.54 IV (upper left) brush and ink and pen and ink on paper 9 ⅜ by 12 ⅝ in. 23.8 by 32.1 cm. Executed on 6 January 1954.

le chien savant

Property of a Distinguished Private Collector

Property of a Distinguished Private Collector Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Nu assis sur un tapis rayé signed Picasso (upper left); dated 8.12.64. II (on the reverse) oil and Ripolin on canvas 21 1⁄8 by 25 5⁄8 in. 53.5 by 65 cm. Executed in Mougins on 8 December 1964.

View 1 of Lot 435: Nu assis sur un tapis rayé

nu assis sur un tapis rayé

Sold to Benefit Dickinson College’s Center for the Futures of Native Peoples

Sold to Benefit Dickinson College’s Center for the Futures of Native Peoples Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Grand vase carré hibou signed Picasso (on the underside) painted, glazed and incised ceramic height: 19 ⅝ in. 49.8 cm. Executed in 1954; this work is unique.

View 1 of Lot 444: Grand vase carré hibou

grand vase carré hibou

Expanding Horizons: The Hedreen Collection

Expanding Horizons: The Hedreen Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Le Repas Frugal, from La Suite des Saltimbanques etching on Van Gelder wove paper plate: 18 ¼ by 14 ¾ in. 46.4 by 37.4 cm. sheet: 25 ¾ by 20 in. 65.5 by 50.9 cm. Executed in 1904 and printed in 1913; this impression is from the edition of 250 (there are also 27 or 29 on Japan paper), published by Vollard.

View 1 of Lot 279: Le Repas Frugal, from La Suite des Saltimbanques

le repas frugal, from la suite des saltimbanques

Property from a Distinguished European Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Tête d'homme signed Picasso and dated 27.4.72. III (upper left) brush and ink and pastel on chipboard 11 by 8 ¼ in. 27.9 by 21 cm. Executed on 27 April 1972.

tête d'homme

Property from a Distinguished European Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Tête de mousquetaire signed Picasso and dated 1.3.67. II (upper left) brush and ink on paper 25 by 18 ½ in. 63.5 by 47 cm. Executed on 1 March 1967.

tête de mousquetaire

Modern Evening Auction

Magnum Opus: A Private Collection of Exceptional Art and Objects Through the Ages

Magnum Opus: A Private Collection of Exceptional Art and Objects Through the Ages Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) Tête de fou inscribed Picasso bronze height: 16 ⅛ in. 41 cm. Conceived in 1905. Claude Picasso has confirmed the authenticity of this work.

tête de fou

Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Grand vase aux femmes voilées incised 7, with the Empreinte Originale de Picasso and Madoura stamps (on the inside of the rim) terre de faïence vase, painted in colors height: 24 ½ in. 62.3 cm. Executed in 1950; this work is number 7 from the edition of 25.

View 1 of Lot 445: Grand vase aux femmes voilées 

grand vase aux femmes voilées

Property from a Distinguished European Collection Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 La Ronde signed Picasso and dated 6.12.53. (upper left) pen and ink with erasure on paper 17 ⅝ by 19 ⅞ in. 43.2 by 50.5 cm. Executed on 6 December 1953.

la ronde

Vision: The Extraordinary Collection of Theodore and Ruth Baum

Vision: The Extraordinary Collection of Theodore and Ruth Baum Pablo Picasso 1881 - 1973 Homme et femme nus signed Picasso and dated Dimanche 2.8.70 IV (lower right) pencil on paper 13 by 19 ½ in. 33 by 49.5 cm. Executed on 2 August 1970.

homme et femme nus

Property from a Distinguished Japanese Collection

Property from a Distinguished Japanese Collection Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) Mousquetaire à la pipe signed Picasso (lower left); dated 26.4.67. and numbered II (on the reverse) oil and Ripolin on canvas 45 ½ by 34 ¾ in. 115.6 by 88.4 cm. Executed on 26 April 1967.

View 1 of Lot 146: Mousquetaire à la pipe

mousquetaire à la pipe

Picasso's Heroic Years: Masterpieces from a Prestigious European Family

Picasso's Heroic Years: Masterpieces from a Prestigious European Family Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) Femme nue et homme au fanion signed Picasso (center right) and dated 29.7.69. (on the reverse) oil and Ripolin on canvas 63 ¾ by 51⅛ in. 162 by 130 cm. Executed on 29 July 1969.

View 1 of Lot 134: Femme nue et homme au fanion  

femme nue et homme au fanion

Picasso's Heroic Years: Masterpieces from a Prestigious European Family Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) Couple signed Picasso (upper right); dated 12.1.70. and numbered II (on the reverse) oil and Ripolin on canvas 51 ⅛ by 38 ¼ in. 130 by 97 cm. Executed on 12 January 1970.

couple

Picasso's Heroic Years: Masterpieces from a Prestigious European Family Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) Nu signed Picasso and dated 3.5.72. (lower right); dated I., II., III.5.72. (upper right) gouache, watercolor, brush and ink, chalk and colored pencil on paper 29 ½ by 21 ¾ in. 75 by 55.4 cm. Executed between 1 and 3 May 1972.

Picasso's Heroic Years: Masterpieces from a Prestigious European Family Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) Le Peintre et son modèle signed Picasso (center left); dated 12. and 14.11.64. and numbered I (on the reverse) oil and Ripolin on canvas 38 ⅛ by 51 ¼ in. 97 by 130 cm. Executed between 12 and 14 November 1964.

View 1 of Lot 144: Le Peintre et son modèle 

le peintre et son modèle

Property from a Distinguished Private Collection

Property from a Distinguished Private Collection Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) Deux femmes nues dated 3.7.66. and 5.10. (upper right) pencil, colored crayon and pastel on paper 19 ½ by 24 in. 49.6 by 60.9 cm. Executed on 3 July and 5 October 1966. Claude Picasso has confirmed the authenticity of this work.

deux femmes nues

Modern & Contemporary Discoveries

After Pablo Picasso Mère et enfant (see Zervos 370) signed and numbered 39/100 in pencil etching and aquatint with roulette in colours, on Chine-appliqué to wove paper, with full margins image: 520 by 434 mm. sheet: 718 by 614 mm.

View 1 of Lot 46: Mère et enfant (see Zervos 370)

mère et enfant (see zervos 370)

The Workshop (L’atelier), by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Pablo+Picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>, 1927.<ul><li>Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).</li><li>Etching and aquatint on Wove paper.</li><li>Hand-signed and numbered.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This etching is hand signed in red ink by the artist "Picasso" at the lower left margin. It is also hand numbered in red ink from the edition of 150, above the signature. It was published by Ambroise Vollard, Paris in an edition of 150 signed and numbered impressions in the 1927. Other impressions of this subject can be found in the collections of The McNay, San Antonio, Texas; The Portland Art Museum, Oregon; The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York and the Brooklyn Museum, New York.

The Workshop | L’atelier

B1101 Nature Morte au Verre sous La Lampe, 1962 (March 19, Mougins), by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Pablo+Picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>.<ul><li>Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).</li><li>Linocut printed in yellow, red, green, and black on Arches paper.</li><li>One of twenty proofs reserved for the publisher and the artist.</li><li>Published by Galerie Louis Leiris, 1963.</li><li>Printed by Arnéra.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

B1101 Nature Morte au Verre sous La Lampe, 1962 (March 19, Mougins)

Winged Bull Watched by Four Children, from The Suite Vollard [Taureau ailé contemplé par quatre enfants], by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=pablo+picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>, 1934.<ul><li>Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).</li><li>Etching on Wove paper.</li><li>Hand signed.</li><li>Part of an edition of 250.</li><li>Printed by Lacourière.</li><li>Published by Ambroise Vollard, Paris.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This is the 13th plate in La Suite Vollard, Picasso's most important series of etchings, and was realized in December 1934. The Suite Vollard, created between 1930 and 1937, was named after its publisher, the French art dealer and critic Ambroise Vollard. Picasso and Vollard shared a close working relationship up until 1910; however, after this date Vollard was no longer Picasso’s dealer though the two continued to collaborate on publishing projects. In 1930, Vollard, encouraged by the success of two earlier ventures, ambitiously commissioned 100 plates from Picasso and by 1937 the plates were completed and given to master printer Roger Lacourière to print. The entire edition comprises 3 copies on parchment, 50 copies on larger format Montval paper and 250 on smaller format Montval paper. Tragically, Ambroise Vollard died in a car crash on 22 July 1939 leaving the project temporarily suspended, until a greater part of the edition was purchased by the print dealer Henri Marie Petiet. After World War II, Petiet engaged Picasso to sign a certain number of sets, and this continued up until 1969 but ceased with the publication of the 347 Series. Hence, a large number of the prints from the edition of 250 remain unsigned.

Winged Bull Watched by Four Children, from: The Suite Vollard | Taureau ailé contemplé par quatre enfants: La Suite Vollard

A set of the 2013 reprint of <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Pablo+Picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a> by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Christian+Zervos&amp;pfilters.dateRange=past" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Christian Zervos</a>.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 34 volumes.</li><li>Christian Zervos (Greek-French, 1889-1970).</li><li>Paris: Cahiers d'Art, 2013.</li><li>Printed in Italy by EBS.</li><li>Profusely illustrated throughout with over 16,000 works.</li><li>Part of an edition of 1000 numbered copies and 200 HC copies.</li><li>This is number 166.</li><li>Bound in flexible binding with glassine jacket, presented in 9 linen slipcases.</li></ul> Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated at time of purchase.

Deux Femmes Avec un Vase à Fleurs, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=pablo+picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>, 1959.<ul><li>Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).</li><li>Linocut in colors on Arches wove paper.</li><li>Hand signed.</li><li>Part of an edition of 20 artist proofs outside the standard edition of 50.</li><li>Printed by Arnéra, Vallauris, 1960.</li><li>Published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris, 1960.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> Hand signed "Picasso" in graphite to the at the lower right of the image. This set of artist proofs, limited to an edition of 20, was printed by Arnéra in cream white on black ground, which results in its blue-grey tonality.

 Deux Femmes Avec un Vase à Fleurs

Pablo Picasso1881-1973Baigneuse (Nu féminin assis), from Carnet No. 67pen and ink on paper26 by 35cm., 10¼ by 13¾in.Executed in Cap d'Antibes in Summer 1923. Claude Picasso has confirmed the authenticity of this work.

Baigneuse (Nu féminin assis), from Carnet No. 67

David and Bathsheba (After Lucas Cranach) II [David et Bethsabée (d'après Lucas Cranach) II], by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Pablo+Picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>, 1947.<ul><li>Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).</li><li>Lithograph on Arches Wove paper.</li><li>Hand-signed and numbered.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This lithograph is hand signed in pencil by the artist "Picasso" at the lower right margin. It is also hand numbered in pencil, from the edition of 50 at the lower left margin. It is dated in the plate "Dimanche 30 Mars 1947" [Sunday 30th March 1947]. It was created by Picasso on the 30th March 1947 by applying pen and ink wash to zinc plate and using a scraper. It was printed by Mourlot in the same year in a limited edition of 50 impressions. There were also six artist’s proofs. This impression is the second state of ten. Only the second and fourth states were published as editions of 50. The work progressively becomes darker and more abstracted through the creative process. The paper bears the Arches watermark. Other impressions of this subject are held by the Art Institute of Chicago and Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, University of Oregon, United States of America. Lucas Cranach was one of the main Old Master artist’s to have provided inspiration for Picasso. The artist was first introduced to the magnificent paintings by Cranach through his dealer Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, who would sporadically send postcards and exhibition catalogues of Cranach’s masterpieces from across Europe. On this occasion Picasso received a black and white exhibition catalogue from an exhibition in Berlin, which had included a photograph of Lucas Cranach’s David and Bathsheba painted in 1534.

David and Bathsheba (After Lucas Cranach) II | David et Bethsabée (d'après Lucas Cranach) II

B1296 Madoura, 1961, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Pablo+Picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>.<ul><li>Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).</li><li>Linocut printed in two colors on Arches wove paper.</li><li>One of 44 proofs outside the edition of 100.</li><li>Signed in pencil, lower right.</li><li>Published by Galerie Madoura, Vallauris, 1961.</li><li>Printed by Arnéra, Vallauris, 1961.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

B1296 Madoura, 1961

Ba1347 Peintre et modèle au fauteuil, 1963, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Pablo+Picasso&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>.<ul><li>Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973).</li><li>Linocut rincé printed in cream with China Ink on Arches paper.</li><li>Baer's first state (of two).</li><li>One of approximately five impressions (there were also five impressions printed in brown and black).</li><li>Printed by Arnéra, 1963.</li><li>Signed, dedicated and dated 'pour Norman Granz/ son ami Picasso/le. 18.5.69' upper right, in felt-tip pen.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Ba1347 Peintre et modèle au fauteuil, 1963

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