PICASSO CERAMICS SERVED UP AT BONHAMS: Ceramics created by Picasso in French Riviera workshop where love blossomed
A selection of ceramics created by Pablo Picasso will feature in the Impressionist and Modern Art Sale on 23rd October at Bonhams, Knightsbridge.
Designed by the artist in the 1950s, the group includes plates, bowls, vases, ashtrays and pitchers modelled in ceramic and terracotta. Estimates are attractive, ranging from just £500-£700 to £4,000-£6,000. Designs feature Picasso’s characteristic and playful imagery, covering mythological forms, primitive faces, animals and bullfights. Spouts and handles are cleverly repositioned to create facial or anatomical features on the ceramics.
Ruth Graham of Bonhams Impressionist and Modern Art Department comments, “Picasso’s ceramics offer an exciting and surprisingly accessible opportunity to own your very own work by perhaps the greatest master of the 20th century. The wide range of ceramics he produced are decorated with his instantly recognisable motifs, and it is fantastic to be able to hold a Picasso in your hands.”
Picasso spent much of the late 1940s at his villa above the town of Vallauris in the south of France and it was then that he first visited the Madoura Pottery workshop. Picasso was so taken with the work that he asked to be introduced to the owners, Susanne and Georges Ramié, who welcomed him into their studio. Picasso was given free use of the studio and materials in exchange for allowing the Ramiés to sell his ceramic editions. Suzanne Ramié shared her vast experience in the craft of ceramics with Picasso and she appears alongside him in numerous photographs during his time in the workshop.
This venture into ceramics can be seen as part of Picasso’s continuing desire to experiment with different media. Spurred on by his initial forays at the workshop, he went on to design over 3,500 fired clay pieces. Upon being passed a freshly created clay vessel, the artist would twist, stretch, punch and pierce the material to his own design. Echoing his practice in painting, Picasso used not only the traditional potter’s tools but anything else that came to hand – the blunt end of a pencil, cardboard or wire-netting were pressed into the still soft clay.
Three types of edition could then be produced from his original design: a replica or faithful copy, an ‘empreinte originale’ made from a press mould, or a ‘poinçon originale’ made from stamping Picasso’s original linocut. Sold at affordable prices, the artist drew pleasure from the thought that anyone could own their own Picasso.
Piccasso and Jaqueline Roque
Picasso (1881-1973) was married twice and fathered four children by three women. He was first married in 1918 to Olga Khokhlova, a ballerina in the famous Ballet Russe. After 9 years and one daughter the couple separated, however, to keep her from inheriting any of his wealth, Picasso stayed patiently married to Olga until her death parted them in 1955. The marriage was littered with numerous affairs, the first of which was with a 17 year old. Age 63, Picasso had another relationship and two children with a woman 40 years his junior. She left him among accusations of abuse but Picasso was already involved with an even younger model.
It was at the Madoura workshop in 1953 that the 72 year old Picasso met 27 year old Jacqueline Roque (1927-1986) who was working at the studio. Picasso, now in his 70s, engaged on a lengthy courtship with Jacqueline. He drew a dove in chalk on her home and brought her a rose each day for half a year before she agreed to date him. The two became lovers and were married in Vallauris in 1961, remaining together for the rest of Picasso’s life. 13 years after Picasso’s death Jacqueline took a pistol and ended her life.
Today, Picasso is considered one of the most influential artists in history.
Bonhams
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com. Prior to sale there are several days of viewing which collectors and the general public are welcome to attend.
