Cheval de Minuit - Le Premier. Midnight Horse - The First by Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973

Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973
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Cheval de Minuit - Le Premier. Midnight Horse - The First

Original drypoint in black ink. 1956. One of six existing impressions. Numbered 5 from the edition of 6. (No examples were signed. The plate was subsequently used for an edition
of 71 impressions with added text and was then cancelled). Drawn and printed at the studio of Lacourière-Dutrou, Paris 1956. Issued by Iliazd for the series: Chevaux de Minuit
inspired by the poem by R Grey, Paris 1956. Extremely rare.
Ref: Baer - Picasso Peintre Graveur no 935c.

Superb impression with burr on the drypoint. On pale cream laid hand-made japan paper. Excellent condition. The plate is printed onto a double sheet of paper, as issued. Full margins. Sheet: 16 x 10 1/2ins. Plate: 9 1/8 x 6 1/8ins (231x154mm).

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It was in 1956 that Picasso drew some of the most individual and unique prints of his whole career. The series of 12 drypoint studies of horses which make up the ?Chevaux de Minuit? are unlike any other works in his oeuvre, and they show again how his enthusiasm for a theme and his inspired feeling for the inherent visual qualities that could be produced through a particular medium could result in images which are of outstanding individuality and inspiration.

The ?Chevaux de Minuit? studies were inspired by the poem written by Roch Grey in 1936, a strange apocalyptic outpouring in praise and memory of all types of riders, and of their horses. A member of the circle around Guillaume Apollinaire Roch Grey?s writing has a strong symbolist element. Picasso has translated that ?lightness? of word into a quite marvellous floating line.

This impression is one of only six proof impressions which were printed without the accompanying text used in the album. Apart from three trial pulls these are the only examples which exist as individual images. (The total album edition with the text was only 67 impressions). None of the impressions were signed by Picasso, but the six proofs, as here, were signed and numbered by the publisher Iliazd in the sheet corner.

The separate proofs, as here, are of the very greatest rarity.