Pablo Picasso Untitled, c. 1957 showcases a gorgeous medley of brightly colored flowers on a glass vase. We see a bouquet of flowers with long verdant stems that twist in an upwards motion. The petals are stunning in design, giving off a three-dimensional effect. The hues in the petals give off a sense of cheerfulness as they are fused with orange, red, and blue. The outlines are crisp as they are abundant in variations of shape. Meant to be seen in the light, each individual color saturates your field of vision as they shine against the opaqueness of glass. Within the empty spaces are tinted layers of glass-work that create a sense of exuberance and playfulness. The relief aspect to this piece provides a sense of depth where the flowers expand past the perimeters of the vase. This work is an exemplary piece where Picasso synthesizes organic shapes and bold colors. Picasso is truly a prolific innovator across all art forms.

Created c. 1957 in the Fucina degli Angeli in Italy, Pablo Picasso Untitled, c.1957 is a Murano colored glass sculpture realized by master glass artist Egidio Costantini (Brindisi, 1912- Venice, 1998) in collaboration with Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 – Mougins, 1973). This work is inscribed on the base: ‘E. Costantini – P. Picasso, Fucina degli Angeli, Venezia, P.A.” This work is an artist proof from an unknown edition size.

Picasso's Glass Art:

Picasso's relationship with Egidio Costantini echoes his partnership with the Madoura Pottery in Vallauris, France. The two men initially met in Vallauris in 1954, though their working relationship would begin a few years later, due in part to Peggy Guggenheim's invitation for Picasso to come to Venice. While Suzanne and Georges Ramié created large editions based on original prototypes created by Picasso, Costantini translated the artist's drawings into glass sculptures produced in very limited editions. This master of La Fucina degli Angeli (the Forge of the Angels), Murano, transformed the centuries-old tradition of Italian glass blowing into a modern art. A 1965 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, recognized the importance of these rare sculptures, which are housed in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, amongst other notable collections.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso Untitled, c. 1957 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. Egidio Costantini e i suoi Artisti: Sculture in vetro della Fucina degli Angeli (da Picasso a Fontana) Italy: Fattidarte Associazione Culturale, 1996. A similar version is listed and illustrated on page 83.

2. Egidio Costantini-Glass Sculptures from the Angels’ Workshop, 1950-1996. Tel Aviv: Eretz Israel Museum, 1997. A similar version is listed and illustrated on page 40-41.

3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.