Capturing the moment in which the picador lowers his lance to weaken the charging bull, Pablo Picasso Picador Unique (one of a kind) Color Variant, 1953 A.R. 211 creates an image of action and suspense. The bull rushes forward from the left while the Picador, aboard his horse, appears calm and prepared. He lowers his weapon while, behind him, a matador charges forward, perhaps to aid in the kill. Picasso contrasts the stark black of the figures against a beautiful cream background and balances the composition, placing the picador at the center and flanking him on either side with the bull and the matador. The glossy sheen of this work adds an additional element of light and shadow and toys with the viewer's eyes, further enhancing this illusion of motion.

Bullfighting is a common and favorite motif of Picasso's across his entire oeuvre. It is particularly noticeable in his ceramics - each depiction is more inventive and lively than the next. Picasso was involved in bullfighting when he was in Vallauris. He would often create posters for bullfights that were happening in the town. Such events reminded him and made him nostalgic for his home country of Spain, from which he was in self-inflicted exile.

Created in 1953, Pablo Picasso ceramic Picador Unique Color Variant A.R. 211 is a round cup of red earthenware clay with engobe and enamel decoration (black), paraffin, and glaze. A unique color variant, this work is stamped with the 'Madoura Empreinte Originale de Picasso' stamp on the reverse.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso ceramic Picador Unique Color Variant, 1953 A.R. 211 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: Galerie Madoura, 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonne no. 211.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.