Most Recent
Picasso etching available for acquisition
Thu 12 February 2009
*See bottom of page for image*
Looking to invest in an original, signed, limited edition Picasso? Read on...
Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973)
Visiteur avec son chien chez unde jeune Femme avec la Celestine ( s. 6995)
(Man with dog, Procuress and Nude)
This etching is number 192 of the so-called 347 series made by Picasso at the grand old age of 87. Despite the old age of the artist the works are dynamic and amusing - his longevity has taken away none of his creativity. In a 6-month period the artist created 347 etchings - sometimes doing several in the course of a single day. All are dated, signed and numbered. This was a great feat for a man of his age!
The work depicts a scene from "La Celestine" which was a 15th century Spanish Classic work. This was a dramatised novel in 21 acts, attributed to Fernando de Rojas who published it in Burgos in 1499.
The plot is a simple one: Calisto is in love with Melebea who spurns him. His butler, Sempronio, suggests he pays an elderly lady called Celestine to act as a go-between and matchmaker. Celestina is a very devious person who does contrive to approach Melebea and create a relationship between the two lovers. Sempronio, however, wants a share of the bribe money and in a quarrel with Celestina, kills her. Calisto falls from a ladder and dies - finally Melebea throws herself from a tower in her father’s house. The grief stricken parent is left alone then to bewail his sadness and misfortune. Picasso was fascinated by the story and when commissioned to create a series of etchings for it worked round the clock to complete them. The finished group of "La Celestine" etchings consisted of 66 pieces. The La Celestine works were a large and important section from the 347 series. The copper for this work still exists in the Musee Picasso, Paris, and was donated by Crommelynck.
Provenance The collector’s stamp verso is the mark of Henri M Petiet (1894 - 1980). Petiet was one of the most famous art dealers of Paris in the Post War era. He bought the stock of Vollard upon his untimely death and proceeded to become one of the leading print dealers in Paris. The fact that this piece emanates from this source gives authenticity and prominence to it.
Original Etching 26 June 1968. (V) , Mouguins
Signed by the artist in pencil with full margins. Edition of 50. There are also 17 artists proofs.
Image size 148 x 208 mms. Reference B. Baer (Volume VI) 1688 .B.b.1 , Bloch 1672 , Cramer 149.
Published by Gallerie Louis Leiris, 1969. Condition In very good condition. Printed by Crommelynck Freres, France.
