In this poster announcing the 1958 Vallauris Exhibition, Picasso expands upon the iconographic rhetoric used in his painting. Quirky line work and playful coloration entice the viewer and enhance the design elements in this piece.

Rodrigo says that this work is one of Picasso’s most beautiful posters due to its “gay and harmonious colours and its balanced compositions” (Rodrigo, p. 1429).  Foster states: “this poster represents an ambitious effort in linoleum gravure.  The elements are simple – flowers, sun etc., yet only a master of the gouging tool could produce such harmony of detail.” p. 32.  Simply conceived, boldly executed, this poster is a wonderful example of Picasso's eloquent handling of linocut, a medium that other artists often find difficult and clumsy, but one in which Picasso excelled. Indeed it is perhaps in his linocuts where one can best perceive his elegant lines and smooth hand for which he was famous. This piece represents not only his artistic talent in this tricky medium but also his appreciation for the whimsical quality of the Vallauris ceramics and his dedication to the advancement of the small town which he called home. Picasso's commitment to civic duty is nowhere better demonstrated than in the posters he created for the town's annual ceramic fairs and bullfights.

Created by a linocut worked with gouge using three plates and three colors, this work is numbered from the edition of 175 (aside from the edition of 25 artist’s proofs reserved for the publisher).  Published and printed by Arnéra, Vallauris, this work is hand-signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881- Mougins, 1973) in blue colored pencil in the lower right.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Pablo Picasso Exposition Vallauris, 1958 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. Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Volume 4. Galerie Kornfeld: Switzerland, 1989. Listed as plate 1050 on pg. 388.
2. Bloch, Georges. Picasso Catalogue de l'ouvre gravé et lithographié, Volume I. Kornfeld et Cie: Switzerland, 1968. Illustrated and listed as plate 1284 on pg. 275.
3. Rodrigo, Luis Carlos. Picasso In His Posters: Image and Work, Volume I. Arte Ediciones: Spain,1992. Illustrated and listed as plate 77 on pgs. 182-183, another example Illustrated and listed as plate 78 on pgs. 184-185.
4. Rodrigo, Luis Carlos. Picasso In His Posters: Image and Work, Volume III. Arte Ediciones: Spain,1992. Illustrated and listed as plate 077 on pg. 1429.
5. Czwiklitzer, Christopher. Picasso's Posters. Random House: New York, 1971. Listed and illustrated as plate 27.
6. Czwiklitzer, Christopher. Pablo Picasso Plakate 1923 – 1973. Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co.: München, 1981. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 28.
7. Foster, Joseph K.. The Posters of Picasso. Grosset and Dunlap: New York, 1964. Illustrated as plate 33 and discussed on page 30.
8. Lieberman, William S. Picasso Linoleum Cuts. Random House: New York, 1985. Illustrated and listed image 135 on pg. 134.
9. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Pablo Picasso Exposition Vallauris, 1958 is museum grade conservation framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.