Pablo Picasso, etched photo mono print, 1945, Pablo Picasso (Spanish/French, 1881-1973), Untitled (Monkey Shadow), silver gelatin print made from hand-etched negative, mounted to cardboard, pen signed "Picasso Antibes 45" along lower image, believed to be a unique print, matted and unframed, 5.5"h x 3.5"w (sheet), 16"h x 13"w (mat)

Provenance: From the Private Library of an Art Historian; For a related example see Phillips, New York, Photographs, October 8, 2015, lot 159

Notes/Literature: The present lot and its mate (lot) are exceedingly rare examples of Picasso's experiments with photography. Picasso's most lasting legacy in this medium, which had a profound effect on other artist, was his experiments in hand etching directly into the negative, a technique known as cliche-verre. In the current series he employs the etching technique to subtly enhance the composition, particularly by attenuating the shadows of the monkey and trees, effectively collapsing the distinction between printmaking and photography. To date, only one image from this series is known to have come to auction. Interestingly, this examples is dated 1945, placing these experiments a full 10 years earlier than previously believed.

A condition report for this item is available upon request. Please note that the absence of a condition report does not imply that the item has no condition issues. Millea Bros. strongly recommends that you request and review a condition report for each item on which you plan to bid. Please email info@milleabros.com to request a report. **Condition reports are rendered as specialist opinion by the staff of the Auction House and not as statements of fact. We do not guarantee the content of written or verbal condition reports.