Description:Two nudes are placed symmetrically within the composition, one seated whilst the other stands nearby. We see the full profile of the seated figure, her head adorned with a crown of laurels and floral accents. The full back of the second figure is in the background but are left with suspense as her face is revealed to us in only a ¼ view.
Created in 1933, this original etching is from the edition of 260 (the total edition was 316) . Baer states that less than half of all impressions were hand-signed by Picasso, this being a rare hand signed example. This works is printed on Montval paper with the Vollard watermarked paper.
Picasso successfully etches smooth and organic lines with these two nudes, allowing them to flow evenly throughout the plate, keeping the overall composition weighted toward the bottom. Despite the seemingly flat nature of this piece, it appears to be etched in such detail and precision that these figures appear be caught right before anticipated movement - the fingertips of the nude in the foreground placed gently on her knee, already seem to be in action while the drapery of her seat appears to emanate a light airiness. The background is further anchored by a horizon line in addition to the second model whose hair is pulled to the side to reveal her back and shoulders. This piece exemplifies what Picasso wanted to do with his Vollard series, combing masterful modernism and traditional classicism.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that I will enclose with the sale of the work) :
1) Gili, Gustavo, ed. Pablo Picasso Suite Vollard, Barcelona, 1956, listed and illustrated as cat. no. 78.
2) Geiser, Bernhard and Brigitte Baer, Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome II, listed and illustrated as cat. no. 404 on page 258.
3) Bolliger, Hans, intro., Picasso's Vollard Suite, New York, 1977, listed and illustrated on page 78.
4) Geiser, Bernhard and Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, Picasso: Sixty Years of Graphic Works, listed and illustrated as cat. no. 150.
5) Geiser, Bernhard and Alfred Scheidegger. Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome II Catalogue Raisonne, listed and illustrated as cat. no. 404.
6) Bloch, Georges. Pablo Picasso, Tome I Catalogue de l'oeuvre grave et lithographie 1904-1067. Listed and illustrated as cat. no. 206.
7) A Masterworks Fine Art, Inc COA will be included with the sale of this piece.
About the Framing:
Archival mounting in a delightfully layered gold leaf frame, the sculptural details in this moulding harkens the stately and refined Art Nouveau style. The curvilinear forms within the moulding echo Picasso's etching and provide the perfect compliment. All materials are to museum quality standard and completed with cream linen wrapped mattes and a matching gold inner fillet; this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.
