Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973) Two-Handled Pitcher

Exhibition

The Sculpture of Picasso, Museum of Modern Art, New York, October 11, 1967-January 1, 1968, exh. cat. by Roland Penrose, no. 214, pp. 123, 226 (illus.).

Picasso at Work at Home, Miami Center for the Fine Arts, November 19, 1985-March 9, 1986, no. 104, p. 110 (illus.).

Note

This lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Jan Krugier Gallery, signed by Tzila Krugier and dated September 14, 2002.

“In his ceramic sculpture two of [Picasso’s] most fundamental talents come equally into play: his ability to model clay in his hands and to draw rapidly with his brush on the surface. As a result he arrives at a complete fusion of sculpture and painting.” [Roland Penrose, The Sculpture of Picasso, exh. cat., New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1967, p. 30.]

Beginning in 1946, Pablo Picasso collaborated closely with Suzanne and Georges Ramié at the Madoura Pottery studio to make many series of ceramic plates, bowls, jugs and other pieces adorned with the artist's playful designs. The artist also created unique works, such as Two-Handled Pitcher, featured here, which is not part of an editioned series, but rather a standalone piece.

Two-Handled Pitcher was made early in Picasso’s ceramics production and shows the artist working outside of the constraints of traditional pottery making. In the singular shape and style of the body of the jug itself, and the widely grinning and expressively painted face, the piece demonstrates the complexity of Picasso’s forms and the imaginative details he included in his ceramics.

Working in ceramics concurrently with his painting, sculpture and drawing practices, Picasso brought his extraordinary energy to the medium, creating forms quickly and distinctively. In this significant example, the artist brings an imaginary creature to life, the face and body taking on the forms of the vessel, with the arms forming delicate handles with tiny hands reaching up to hold the spout. Freeman’s is honored to bring this significant unique ceramic work to auction from a Private Philadelphia Collection.

Provenance

Estate of the Artist (inventory number 57958).

Marina Picasso Collection (by family descent).

Private Collection.

Russek Gallery, New York, New York.

Private Collection, Philadelphia (acquired directly from the above in 2002).