Figure

Pablo Picasso
Figure
lithograph
November 21, 1948

An original hand-signed Pablo Picasso lithograph print.

November 21, 1948

Original lithograph printed in black ink on wove paper bearing the Arches script watermark.

Hand-signed in pencil within the image lower right Picasso.

A superb impression of the definitive state, from the edition of 50, numbered in pencil in the margin lower left (there were six additional proofs reserved for the artist and the publisher, for an overall edition of 56). Published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris; printed at Atelier Fernand Mourlot, Paris.

Catalog: Bloch 579; Mourlot 128; Rau 366; Reusse 389

Size Image: 25 3/8 x 19 5/8 inches

Sheet Size: 26 x 19 7/8 inches

Framed Size: 32 x 25 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches

This lithograph is the second of seven large portrait heads inspired by Françoise Gilot that Picasso created in a single day on November 21, 1948. Through the use of the lithographic crayon worked additionally with the scraper, sandpaper and needle, the series of heads evolves dramatically as the concept progressed through the mind and at the hand of the artist. Editions of 50 were printed of each of the first four stages. After each stage was completed the zinc plate on which Picasso was working was polished out before proceeding on to the next step in the metamorphosis. The final stage went through three distinct states. Only one impression of the first and second states were printed, prior to the final edition of 50 of the third state to complete the day’s work.