Pablo Picasso, Bacchanale, 1959. The Bacchanal 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 mountain peaks under a brilliant sky with puffy clouds, the composition is evenly anchored along the lower margin to hold our partygoers.

Created on November 17, 1959, this work is hand signed by Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) in pencil in the lower right margin and numbered 27/50 in pencil in the lower left margin; printed in tan by Arnéra, Vallauris on vélin d’Arches paper and published by Louise Leiris, Paris.  Dated in the block in the upper left (in mirror image), ‘59.11.17’.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It 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, B. (1989). Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome V: Catalogue Raisonné de l’œuvre grave et des monotypes, 1959 – 1965.  Editions Kornfeld: Berne.  Listed and illustrated under catalogue raisonné no. 1255 on pg. 318.

2. Bloch, G. (1984). Pablo Picasso, Tome I: Catalogue de l’œuvre grave et lithographié, 1904 – 1967. Editions Kornfeld et Cie: Berne. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 927 on pg. 201.

3. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. (1966). Picasso: Sixty Years of Graphic Works. New York Graphic Society: Greenwich. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 344 on pg. 137.

4. Picasso Linoleum Cuts: The Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kramer Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lieberman, W. S. (Intr.). Random House: New York. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 34 on pg. 43.

About the Framing:
Conservation framed with museum quality, archival materials, this work is set in a monumental Art deco-style frame with gold and bronze, scalloped moulding. The varying tones and hues of the frame complement the strong contrast in this work while the undulating geometric details of the moulding accent the organic shapes within the image.  Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas® cover.