Pablo Picasso Taureau (Bull), 1957 A.R. 392 is a beautifully decorated plate that exhibits Picasso’s artistic talent in the ceramic medium. Choosing an earthy, red background for the base of the plate allows for the eye-popping black to gently jump off the surface and into view. The sparing application of glaze across certain parts of the ceramic creates interesting textural differences between the smooth, glassy nature of the glazed ceramic and the rougher, drier unglazed ceramic.

Picasso often focused on bulls and bullfighting in his artworks across all mediums. He was fascinated with the bullfighting that he saw in Spain as a child, and the ceramic plates he created later in life already had a perfect composition for a bullfighting ring. In this ceramic plate, abstract designs line the outer lip of the plate. Repeating motifs swirl around the central bull. The bull is rendered simply with a thin body but large, strong front shoulders. Despite being relatively simple, it carries immense strength in its body. The iconography of this piece can be appreciated by all viewers of this graceful and powerful ceramic.

Created in 1957, this madoura turned round dish of red earthenware clay with engobe decoration (black) and knife engraving under partial brushed glaze is inscribed ‘Edition Picasso’ and ‘Madoura’ on the back and stamped with the ‘EDITION PICASSO’ and ‘MADOURA PLEIN FEU’ pottery stamps; numbered from the edition of 250.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso ceramic Bull (Taureau), 1957 A.R. 392 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany 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. 392.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.