The Bacchanale was often a subject depicted by Picasso with much fondness, liveliness, and energy.  Taken from the Greek and Roman festivals which celebrated the god of wine, Bacchus, they were typically attended by only women who danced, played music, and of course, drank wine.  In Picasso’s works as in this Bacchanale linocut, we see a myriad of characters suspended in thrilling animation as we are given just a peek into their grand celebration.  Set before a majestic landscape of beautiful grey mountain peaks under a brilliant blue hatched sky, the composition is evenly anchored to hold our partygoers.

Created in 1959, this color linocut is hand-signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881- Mougins, 1973) in pencil in the lower right margin and numbered from 50 in pencil in the lower left margin; printed by Arnera Vallauris on Arches paper and published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso Bacchanale, 1959 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. Baer, Brigitte. Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome V. Galerie Kornfeld: Switzerland, 1989. Listed as plate 1262 on pg. 333.
2. Bloch, Georges. Picasso Catalogue de l'ouvre gravé et lithographié, Volume I. Kornfeld et Cie: Switzerland, 1968. Illustrated and listed as plate 932 on pg. 202.
3. Lieberman, William S. Picasso Linoleum Cuts. Random House: New York, 1985. Illustrated and listed as image 41 on pg. 49.
4. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Pablo Picasso Bacchanale, 1959 is presented in a complementary moulding and optical grade Plexiglas.