Pablo Picasso ceramic Visage aux yeux rieurs (Laughing-eyed Face), 1969 A.R. 608 uses a multitude of colors to liven the turned pitcher. Rich reds, greens, and blues, cover the surface with painterly brushstrokes. The face that results smiles out at the viewer with deep blue lips and sparkling green eyes. The eyes are rendered like suns, with little black rays emerging from the green and blue pupils. The red mark below the eyes brings warmth to the face, and makes the eyes shine a little brighter. Almost no part of the vessel is devoid of bold color, and the red and greens continue around the back of the piece, along with intense blue spots that travel up the handle. The color dances across the surface of the vase and is a testament to Picasso’s artistic immensity.

Picasso had an endless fascination with the human face and its myriad of expressions and emotions. He sought to explore this in much of his greater oeuvre, but also in many of his ceramics. Picasso ceramic Laughing-eyed Face is a stunning example of this exploration.

Created in 1969, this white earthenware clay turned pitcher is decorated in engobes (blue, green, red, and white) engraved by knife under partial brushed glaze with black patina. Numbered from the edition of 350, this worked is stamped with the ‘MADOURA PLEIN FEU’ and ‘EDITION PICASSO’ pottery stamps on the bottom; also inscribed ‘Edition | Picasso | Madoura’ on the bottom.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso ceramic Laughing-Eyed Face (Visage aux yeux rieurs), 1969 A.R. 608 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. Vallauris: Madoura, 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 608.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.