Lot: 253

Pablo Picasso* (1881 - 1973)
'Bacchanale', 1955

Color aquatint. Etching after an original by Pablo Picasso. Image size 47 x 56 cm. Sheet size 56 x 76 cm. From an edition of 300. On chamois-colored wove paper by BKF Rives (with watermark). Numbered in pencil lower left: 96/300 and signed lower right: Picasso. Published by Atelier Crommelynck, Paris (with blind stamp). Framed under glass and passe-partout and described as such.
Mediterranean life always played a significant role in Picasso's artistic output. Fauns, bucolic festivals, and bacchanalia were among his preferred motifs, best reflecting the artist's joie de vivre and sensuality. However, the atmosphere in this particular work is distinctly different. Instead of interacting with one another, the figures appear lost in their own thoughts. In this idealized depiction, Picasso portrays a southern afternoon, blending ancient and contemporary elements. The motif evokes the classical iconography of the three ages of man, a theme Picasso was exploring extensively at the time. Since then, his depictions of men can often be interpreted as self-portraits. Within this context, Picasso painted the gouache 'Le repos du faune' in June 1956, which served as the model for this work. Furthermore, the nuanced use of light and shadow creates a particularly balanced composition and a harmonious mood.
Provenance:
Private collection, Cologne, acquired in 1968 from Galerie Claus Linke, Düsseldorf.

Reserve price: 4,000 €