Soft black and green lines radiate from the central face which anchors the overall composition with its surprised, engaged expression. Picasso's simplification of the face in Picasso ceramic Visage (Face), 1955 A.R. 290, comprised of black strokes against a white background, allows for the rest of the colors to pop and catch our eye. Picasso achieves a beautiful sense of symmetry and motion with his circular forms and radiating lines, which almost have a hypnotizing effect upon closer observation. The outside of the cupel is also decorated with great care and exquisite color, making Picasso ceramic Face (Visage), 1955  A.R. 290 beautiful from all angles. The same engobe colors that are used on the inside are well balanced on the outside, bringing a unity to the ceramic. The cupel itself is a delicate shape, quite small at the bottom and opening up wide at the top. The face sits directly at the bottom of the bowl - at the point furthest from the viewer. The black shapes that tip the green rays almost look like hands. This impression is furthered by the way that they reach from the face up the sides of the bowl and out towards the viewer.

Created in 1955, this original Madoura white earthenware clay turned round cupel with decoration in engobes (black, green, red) under glaze is from the edition of 500. This work is inscribed 'EDITION PICASSO MADOURA' with the on the underside.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso ceramic Face (Visage), 1955 A.R. 290 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, Vallauris, 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 290.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.