PABLO PICASSO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A selection of reproductions taken from the book “Céramiques” published by Skira, Paris in 1948. The folio size portfolio contained 18 tipped in colour reproductions, of a very high quality, of plate designs. Included was a tipped in black and white photograph of Picasso at Vallauris, the Madoura Pottery Studio. Unfortunately, the cover of the book deteriorated, cover an original design by Picasso, and thus this reproductions are offered individually. They have been framed and have become an collectible object in themselves.

Included in the price will be a black and white reproduction of the photograph of Picasso at Vallauris and a fascimile of the short text accompanying the illustrations.



In 1946, Picasso visited the annual ceramics exhibition helf in Vallauris, France. Especially taken by the works of the Madoura Pottery, he was introduced to Suzanne and Georges Ramie, the owners of the pottery.
He ended the day making two pieces at their pottery, and leaving them to dry and be fired. It was one year later that Picasso returned to the pottery, and much to his delight was shown the two pieces from a year before, in excellent shape. He proceeded to start working, having brought along sketches made in preparation for the moment.

Under the close guidance of Suzanne Ramie, Picasso worked diligently at Madoura, producing many pieces over the course of the ensuing years. He created a massive body of work over the next twenty five years. It is amazing that it is often overlooked in Picasso’s work. The subject matter ranged from mythical scenes of centaurs and fauns and nymphs to still life subjects of fish or fruit, to clown-like faces or classical grand forms of women dancing and enjoying music, or bullfights and toreadors. There are many others. The sensuousness of classical imagery and Mediterranean life burst forth in the earthy primal material of clay, linking Picasso to the joyously expressive pottery found in ancient Greece. Certainly the post war feeling to exuberance fuelled this outpouring of creativity.

Taken from “Picasso, Ceramics History”, Alberta Merola Gallery, Provincetown, MA, dealers in Picasso’s ceramics.

The Gallery Madoura still exists and can be found at the web address on the left.