Description:This fascinating rendition of the male figure in astounding form serves as the complement to Picasso’s alternate linocut from the same series, Standing Female Nude. Our Man with a Stick, however, has been presented in immaculate and Herculean stature with his resounding body mass leaning towards us in captivating gesture. He is transfixed with an object in the foreground as Picasso has cleverly altered the size and shape of his forearm to appear larger than the rest of his body. The hero is thus centered in the background, but clearly encouraging a dialogue and relationship with his audience that is just beyond the limits of the frame. It is a piece that provokes movement and momentum; a grand work that exemplifies Picasso’s venture into the print medium.
Created in 1963, this work was published by Edition Galerie Louise Leiris out of the signed and numbered edition of 50 on Vélin d’Arches paper. Hand signed by Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) in pencil in the lower right margin and numbered 48/50 in pencil in the lower left margin. This work is from the 2nd state impression featuring the crème and brown coloration throughout. It is from the first edition of this printed work featuring an additional date above the original (63.1.15) in dark brown: “63.1.18.”
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work):
1. Baer, B. (1989). Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome V: Catalogue Raisonné de l’œuvre grave et des monotypes, 1959 – 1965. Editions Kornfeld: Berne. Listed and illustrated under catalogue raisonné no. 1338 on pg. 504. Detailed further on pg. 498 under ‘Le Vieux Bouffon.’
2. Bloch, G. (1984). Pablo Picasso, Tome I: Catalogue de l’œuvre grave et lithographié, 1904 – 1967. Editions Kornfeld et Cie: Berne. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1106 on pg. 231.
3. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. (1966). Picasso: Sixty Years of Graphic Works. New York Graphic Society: Greenwich. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 429 on pg. 162.
4. Picasso Linoleum Cuts: The Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kramer Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lieberman, W. S. (Intr.). Random House: New York. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 111 on pg. 108.
About the Framing:
Conservation framed with museum quality, archival materials, this work is set in a monumental Spanish style frame with gold and black, sculpted moulding. The varying tones and hues of the frame compliment the strong contrast in this work and the undulating ribbon details of the moulding compliment the organic shapes in the image. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas® cover.
