Created in c. 1969, this color lithograph was produced in collaboration with famed printmaker, Marcel Salinas (b. 1911) and thus dedicated to him by Picasso in pencil in the lower right margin. Hand signed by Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) in pencil, twice, just under the dedication in the lower right margin. Also title and dated in the stone in dark blue along the upper margin, PICASSO - Dessins | 27.3.66 - 15.3.68 | 11.2.69'. Small pencil notation in the lower right sheet edge (presumably by Marcel Salinas), 'Salinas, Lith.' This is a unique variant of an artist's proof with the dedication in the lower margin; aside from the total edition of 150.

Extremely talented and widely-recognized printmaker and artist, Marcel Salinas, once worked for the famous printmaking house, Mourlot in Paris, and became very much sought-after during the 1960s by several Modern Masters of his time. Working closely with artists including Lhote, Vasarely, Ernst, Erte, Lebadang, Castellon, and Bledsoe, he is most famous for his work with Pablo Picasso and a series of prints created in color lithography. As a truly passionate artist himself, Salinas has an uncanny appreciation for color, able to perfect highly complex compositions and translate them into equally complex lithographic prints; he often used as much as 10 stones with different colors to create the perfect combination. He was known to create afterworks and transcend them into masterpieces of his own. Picasso insisted that Salinas' name appeared alongside a series of work they collaborated on together.

Picasso celebrated the artist with this particular work, signing this print with a dedication to him in the lower margin. Coming from Salinas' own private collection, we see a portrait of a very astute and demure musketeer smoking a pipe; common subject matter for Picasso's works during the late 1960's. The curly hair, colorful detail of the face and eyes, and even the abstract rendition of the hand and pipe all celebrate Picasso's unique and astounding ability to create whimsical yet innovative works. Brightly colored with pastel pinks, lime greens, and navy blues, the composition is enclosed within a bright, sunny yellow border against a muted grey background.

Illustrated in:
1) The Picasso Project (2003) Picasso's Paintings, Watercolors, Drawings and Sculpture: The Sixties III 1968 - 1969. Alan Wofsy Fine Arts: San Francisco. Similar examples illustrated as catalogue raisonné nos. 68-050 and 68-057.
2) Texas A&M University. The Online Picasso Project. http://picasso.tamu.edu/picasso/. This exact piece is listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. OPP.69:211.

Provenance:
~ Gift of the artist, Pablo Picasso
~ The Marcel Salinas Collection
~ The Estate of Marcel Salinas

About the Framing:
Conservation framed with museum-quality archival materials, this work is set in a dramatic Spanish-style frame with an ornate profile. With bold external sculptural accents, the undulating organic forms complement the detail of this work. In addition, the contrast of the molding accentuates the deep tonality of the work. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.