Pablo Picasso Cheval mourant entouré d'une famille de saltimbanques (Dying horse surrounded by a family of acrobats), 1931 depicts several male and female figures, arranged peculiarly throughout the paper. Their gestures point to a dying horse in the center of the image. The outlines of the bodies are clear and crisp, giving the work vivacity. In such a simple yet beautiful piece, there is an active quality to it. All the figures are reminiscent of gods and goddesses in ancient Greek and Roman iconography. The contours of their soft faces, lavish hair, and traces of Greco-Roman clothing are apparent. Picasso draws inspiration from acrobats, a favorite subject of his that reoccurs quite often. Rendering a somber yet beautifully simple work, Pablo Picasso Cheval mourant entouré d'une famille de saltimbanques (Dying horse surrounded by a family of acrobats), 1931 brings forth a wonderful example of Picasso’s abilities as a modern master.

Created in 1933 and printed in 1947, Cheval mourant entouré d'une famille de saltimbanques (Dying horse surrounded by a family of acrobats) is an etching on vieux japon paper. Hand signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 – Mougins, 1973) in red crayon in the lower right margin. From the edition of 40 on vieux japon paper printed in 1947 by Macquart, Paris, published by Lucien Vollard and Marcel Lecomte, Paris, this work is aside from the editions of 60 on vélin de Arches, and 2 on japon nacré.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso Cheval mourant entouré d'une famille de saltimbanques (Dying horse surrounded by a family of acrobats), 1931 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 final sale of the work):

1. Baer, Brigitte and Geiser, Bernhard. Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome I 1899 – 1931, Berne: Edition Kornfeld, 1990. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 206.
2. Bloch, Georges. Pablo Picasso, Tome I Catalogue de l’oeuvre grave et lithographie 1904-1067, Berne: Edition Kornfeld, 1984. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 235.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Pablo Picasso Cheval mourant entouré d'une famille de saltimbanques (Dying horse surrounded by a family of acrobats), 1931 is presented in a complementary moulding and optical grade Plexiglas.