Description:Published by Berggruen, Paris in 1962, this linocut was to be part of the deluxe edition of Jacques Prévert's book, Diurnes, with decoupages and photographs by André Villers. It was printed by Arnéra, Vallauris on vélin d'Arches paper in two colours (chocolate & tan) and signed in the lower right margin in pencil by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) . This work is an artist's proof aside from the signed and numbered edition out of 100 (also an edition of 900 with small margins reproduced in Prévert's book) . There also features a collection stamp on the verso from the 'Collection René Debossens.'
Envisioning this woman seated comfortably along the beach, she basks in her 'pyjama de plage' and soaks up life to its fullest. Here, with Femme assise en pyjama de plage, Picasso is able to translate the warmth of the Mediterranean, using bright hues of tans and chocolate browns. Depicting a lovely seated figure, he demonstrates remarkable ingenuity in transforming the linocut to a work of unbridled mastery only Picasso could create. The art of the linoleum cut was not appreciated and accepted as a distinguished form of printmaking until artists like Picasso revealed its true potential. Once considered the 'poor man's woodcut,' Picasso was able to maneuver his blade in such a way as to create robust, free-flowing lines, full of movement, energy, and force. Its bold and dazzling color is one that cannot be translated through a photograph and can only to be truly appreciated when viewed in person.
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. Baer, Brigitte. Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome V - Catalogue raisonné de l'œuvre grave et des monotypes, Berne, 1989. Listed and illustrated as cat. no. 1276 on pg. 353.
2. Bloch, Georges. Pablo Picasso Tome I - Catalogue de l'œuvre grave et lithographié 1904-1967, Berne, 1968. Listed and illustrated as cat. no. 1062 on pg. 223.
3. Cramer, Patrick et al. Pablo Picasso The Illustrated Books: Catalogue Raisonné, Geneva, 1983. Listed and illustrated under Jacques Prévert's Diurnes, 1962 on pg. 284-5.
4. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Picasso Linoleum Cuts from the Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kramer Collection, New York, 1985. Listed and illustrated as cat. no. 83 on pg. 82.
5. Verlag, Gerd, and Hatje for the Kunstmuseum Basel / Bonn. Pablo Picasso Die illustrierten Bücher, 1996. Listed and illustrated as cat. no. 115 on pg. 153.
About the Framing:
Conservation framed with archival materials and museum quality, this work is set in a bronze, Baroque-style frame. The golden hues of the moulding compliment the rich deep tones and accentuate the bright colors of this work. The sculptural details also serve to enhance Picasso's rhythmic and iconic stroke throughout the drawing. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas
