London – He was one of the most celebrated and influential artists of the 20th century. He was also one of the most productive. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) lived an extraordinary life, and created even more extraordinary art. From prints to ceramics, works on paper to photographs, Picassomania returns to Bonhams New Bond Street on Wednesday 18 May, celebrating the full scope of the artist’s expansive oeuvre.
Leading the sale will be Visage en forme d’Horloge, a sliver repoussé plate, conceived in 1956 and executed in silver by François and Pierre Hugo. It has an estimate of £30,000 – 50,000. Amongst the other highlights of the sale is a selection of Picasso ceramics, including Femme, 1955, (estimate of £8,000-12,000), and a photograph of Picasso alongside the photographer Cecil Beaton, signed ‘pour Cecil Beaton. Ami Picasso 1965’, which has an estimate of £1,000-2,000.
Lucia Tro Santafe, Bonhams Department Director of Prints & Multiples and Head of Sale, commented: “Picasso is an artist who needs no introduction. His work is instantly recognisable, and his reputation is universal. The extent of his artistic output however goes far beyond his distinctive paintings, and Bonhams Picassomania sale showcases the full extent of his creative genius – offering ceramics, precious metals works, prints, works on paper, and photographs. After an exciting launch last year, we’re sure this sale will show that the frenzy that is Picassomania is still very much alive.”
Other highlights of the sale include:
- Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Tête d’homme. Pencil on paper, 26.7 x 20.1cm (10 1/2 x 7 15/16in). Executed in 1914. Estimate: £28,000 – 35,000.
- Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Tête de femme No 2. Portrait de Dora Maar, 1939. Aquatint in colours Estimate: £25,000 – 35,000.
- Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Vase deux anses hautes. Height 39cm (15 3/8in). Conceived in 1952 and executed in an edition of 400. Estimate: £15,000 – 25,000.
- Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Homme avec son cheval et femme à la fenêtre, circa 1963, linocut rincé (One of only three épreuves rincées). Estimate: £10,000 – 15,000.
- Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Grand air from Les yeux fertiles, 1936. A fine impression, one of circa 12 proofs of the third final state, aside from the edition of ten, printed by Lacourière, published by Guy Lévis Mano, Paris, as an illustration for Paul Eluard’s Les yeux fertiles. Estimate: £10,000 – 15,000.
- Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Joueur de flûte, 1951. Diameter 24.8cm (9 3/4in). Conceived in 1951, this work is a colour variant in green aside from the edition of 40. Estimate: £4,000 – 6,000.
- The photograph Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot, Golfe-Juan, 1948 by Robert Capa (1913-1954). Estimate: £3,000 – 5,000.
