Like many artists, Pablo Picasso was inspired by those around him and, over the years, the faces that meant most to him frequently appeared in his art. This was particularly true regarding the women in his life. The faces of the artist's many muses feature across his oeuvre, presenting a visual diary of his different infatuations. One of the most compelling ceramic examples of the female form, Visage de Femme of 1953, most likely depicts Jaqueline Roque, Picasso’s second wife and the partner with whom he would stay with for the final decades of his life. They met serendipitously in 1953 following Picasso’s move to Vallauris, where Roque was working temporarily in the Madoura Pottery studio’s adjoining shop. Picasso quickly became infatuated with Roque and delivered a rose to her every day until she eventually agreed to be his companion. Over the course of their relationship, Roque’s striking features would feature in Picasso’s work over 400 times, with her likeness becoming the most featured face of his oeuvre.
David Douglas Duncan, Pablo Picasso and Jacqueline Roque on the day of their wedding announcement, 1961. From Lot 12, Pablo Picasso: Paper and Clay, 6 June 2024 Seemingly simple, in Visage de Femme Picasso fashions a striking composition with minimal detail that nevertheless delineates delicate femininity. Wavy hair is alluded to through ripples that border the curvaceous face. Adorning her décolletage is a turquoise necklace that offsets the strong horizontal nose – a feature that defines Jacqueline’s presence in Picasso’s works – below which three delicate lines suggest pursed lips. With large almond eyes and dark complexion rendered in playful spirit, Visage de Femme reflects the joyful and abundant period in the artist’s later life, exemplified in his light-hearted, exuberant ceramics.
Literature
Alain Ramié 220
Artist Biography
Pablo Picasso
Spanish • 1881 - 1973
One of the most dominant and influential artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso was a master of endless reinvention. While significantly contributing to the movements of Surrealism, Neoclassicism and Expressionism, he is best known for pioneering the groundbreaking movement of Cubism alongside fellow artist Georges Braque in the 1910s. In his practice, he drew on African and Iberian visual culture as well as the developments in the fast-changing world around him.
Throughout his long and prolific career, the Spanish-born artist consistently pushed the boundaries of art to new extremes. Picasso's oeuvre is famously characterized by a radical diversity of styles, ranging from his early forays in Cubism to his Classical Period and his later more gestural expressionist work, and a diverse array of media including printmaking, drawing, ceramics and sculpture as well as theater sets and costumes designs.
17
Visage de femme (Woman's Face) (A.R. 220)
1953
White earthenware rectangular dish painted in colours, engraved and glazed.
37.5 x 31.3 cm (14 3/4 x 12 3/8 in.)
From the edition of 400, with the Madoura Plein Feu and Edition Picasso pottery stamps on the underside.
Estimate
£18,000 - 22,000 ‡♠
Sold for £22,860
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Pablo Picasso: Paper and Clay
London Auction 6 June 2024
27
This lot is no longer available.
