Rushing towards the center of the composition, seven football players (known as soccer players, in America) dive towards a bright yellow ball. Divided into teams of red and blue, these players pour their heart and soul into their sport. Picasso composes each player from one seamless line, leaving them devoid of distinct details aside from the color that designates their team. He delineates the football field through the use of jagged patches of green that contribute a sense of motion and animation. This piece is action packed despite its relatively minimalist style, exemplifying Picasso's genius at creating an eye-catching image without the use of unnecessary props.

Created in 1961, this original color lithograph is hand signed in the lower right by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 - Mougins, 1973) and numbered from the edition of 200 in the lower left. This work is printed on watermarked Arches wove paper and published by Le Patriote, Nice.

DOCUMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:

1. Bloch, Georges. Pablo Picasso: Volume I Catalogue of the Printed Graphic Work 1904 -1967. Switzerland: Editions Kornfeld et Cie, Berne, 1984. Documented and illustrated as catalogue no. 1019 on pg. 220.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. Picasso Lithographs. Boston: Boston Book and Art Publisher, 1970. Documented and illustrated as catalogue no. 356 on pg. 278.

PROVENANCE:

~Art Shop Karl Vonderbank, Franfurt am Main (acquired in 1971).

ABOUT THE FRAMING:

This work is framed to archival, museum-grade standards. Displayed in a complementary moulding, the piece is finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical-grade Plexiglas.