With a strategic and striking use of color, Pablo Picasso ceramic Picador et taureau (Picador and Bull), 1959 A.R. 439 expresses the risk of the bullfight. The main figures and the outside decoration are rendered in bright ivory and green, highlighting the action of the scene. The blackness of death attempts to overthrow the protagonist, as he bravely confronts his opponent. The scene is at the climax of the fight – the bulls head is angled down with horns forward while charging and the Picador wields his lance, ready to strike at the approaching bull. However the warm russet color of life and triumph proves stronger as it eclipses the darkness falling symbolically to the back of the bullfighter.

Bullfighting is a common motif in Picasso’s oeuvre and shows up often on Picasso ceramics as well. The round dish is a particularly good shape for the subject matter, as the round shape of the dish mimics the shape of the bullfighting ring. The decoration that encircles the scene is abstracted and simple, but can also be seen broadly as an audience that surrounds the bullfight.

Created in 1959, this Madoura round dish of white earthenware clay has decoration in ceramic pastel crayons with engobes under partial brushed glaze (green, russet, black, and ivory).Numbered from the edition of 100, this work is stamped with the ‘MADOURA PLEIN FEU’ and ‘EMPREINTE ORIGINALE DE PICASSO’ pottery stamps on the reverse.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso ceramic Picador and Bull (Picador et taureau), 1959 A.R. 439 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices accompanying the sale of the work):

1. Ramié, Alain. Picasso Catalogue of the edited ceramic works 1947-1971. Madoura: 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 439.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.