The beautiful and intriguing Pablo Picasso Toros en Vallauris (Bulls in Vallauris), 1955 is one of the greatest examples of Picasso’s masterful manipulation of composition and space. The imagery here is that of a bullfight; our point of view comes from a seat in the stands overhead. The composition of Pablo Picasso Bulls in Vallauris is divided down the center with a column, meant to represent the numerous columns found within the stands of a typical bull ring. The left side of the ring is under a bright sunlight and doused in a stunning canary yellow; the right side of the ring represents the portion of the stadium in shade and therefore colored in a deeper red. The dual-sided effect, therefore, allows the faces of the audience to appear to be directed toward the center of the action and engaged in the scene – in a sense, in movement.

According to L. Rodrigo (1992), “Picasso obtained balance in this composition by situating the most important figures in the centre of the poster, on both sides of the ring. Thus on one side we see the bullfighter, and on the other the bull. Both have been frozen in an instant of the fight. Picasso transmits the intensity of the spectacle: the bullfighter placing the banderillas, and the bull enraged by the punishment of the lance” (1646).

Created in 1955, this color linocut is hand- signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 – Mougins, 1973) in red crayon in the lower right margin. Numbered from the edition of 200 in pencil in the lower left margin; published by Arnéra, Vallauris.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Pablo Picasso Bulls in Vallauris (Toros en Vallauris), 1955 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. (1988). Picasso Peintre-Graveur, Tome IV, Catalogue Raisonné de l’œuvre grave et des monotypes, 1946 – 1958. Edition Kornfeld: Berne. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1029

2. Bloch, G. (1984). Pablo Picasso, Volume I, Catalogue of the Printed Graphic Work 1904 – 1967. Kornfeld et Cie: Berne. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1265

3. Cwiklitzer, C. (1981). Pablo Picasso: Plakate 1923 – 1973. Taschen: Munich. Listed and illustrated as plate 14.

4. Rodrigo, L.C. (1992). Picasso In His Posters, Image & Work Vol. 3. Arte Ediciones: Madrid. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 041.

5. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Pablo Picasso Bulls in Vallauris (Toros en Vallauris), 1955 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.