Exposition Vallauris 1953. by Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973

Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973
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Exposition Vallauris 1953.

Original poster printed from a linocut block in black ink. 1953. Signed in the block. Originally washed with bands of colour; this impression has lost most of the colours which were very fugitive. Printed by Arnera, Vallauris for Picasso, 1953. Original edition c.2000 impressions but very many lost. Now rare.
Ref: Mourlot - Original Posters Picasso no 69

Very fine strong impression of the black block, the colours faded. On light off-white poster paper. Generally excellent condition for such a poster; one tiny nick in the left sheet edge repaired. Printed to the full sheet size. Sheet: 26 3/8 x 20 1/4ins (670x515mm)

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This exceptionally striking image was created by Picasso as a poster for the bullfighting at Vallauris in 1953. It is one of the earliest of the images that he drew for the bullring there. The treatment of the image of the linked profiles of the spectators seen in the form of a cut-out silhouette is a typical example of how Picasso could approach a new project and totally cast aside all the conventional treatments of the idea and create something totally new, both in concept and in technique.

The block for this image was printed by Arnera who was to be the printer for all Picasso's linocut images made at Vallauris. Conceived as an indian ink drawing it was then cut and printed as a lino block, using the sharp outline of the block to make all the definition of form and the separation of the figures from within the single flat surface of the silhouette.

In its issued form Arnera printed broad bands of brilliant wash colour across the sheet behind the silhouette. These stripes of colour were printed in very fugitive pigment washes rather than lithographic ink. Few examples of this poster have survived, but as is often the case in those that have these bands of colour have almost disappeared. However this does not detract from the brilliant conception and the visual impact of the design of the main image.

Printed onto rather poor poster paper very few examples of this poster have survived or are now known. This is the first impression in any form that we have seen in very many years.