Pablo Picasso L’étreinte (The Embrace), 1966 depicts the influence art nouveau and impressionism has on Picasso’s early works, a precursor to the artists rapidly approaching arrival of his revolutionary Blue Period. Full of painterly applications of color, an embracing couple stands just off center drawing our eye to their intimate exchange. The woman captures our eye with the bright red of her skirt and hair, while the man recedes to the background in dark blue and black. The faces of both figures are obscured, creating a mysterious air that causes the viewer to create their own unique interpretation of the full story behind this work. Further adding to the intrigue of this piece, a draped piece of furniture is hidden beneath a white sheet, and a single chair sits to the right. One can contemplate endless possibilities to this setting; Are they in a café just before closing? Or could they be at the edge of a dance floor, full of other couples just like them? With strong shadows, the lighting and contrast of this work are masterfully composed, exhibiting Picasso's exemplary skill at an early stage of his career.

Created in 1966, this color collotype with pochoir is hand-signed by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) in blue in the lower left of the image, this work is numbered 67/125 in pencil the lower left margin. This work is based on an original oil painting from 1900 of the same title.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso L’étreinte (The Embrace), 1966 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. Warncke, Carsten-Peter, Pablo Picasso 1881-1973, Vol I, 1994, the original painting is listed on pg 60.
2. McCully, Marilyn, Picasso The Early Years 1892-1906, 1997, listed as cat no 41 on pg 124.
3. Spitzer, Guy. Guy Spitzer, Editeur D'Art. Editions Guy Spitzer: PARIS. Listed and illustrated on pg. 12 (another example illustrated).
4. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this purchase.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Pablo Picasso L’étreinte (The Embrace), 1966 is presented in a complementary moulding and optical grade Plexiglas.