Pablo PicassoTêtes
1956
White earthenware ceramic pitcher with black oxide and white glaze
Stamped and marked Edition Picasso/Madoura Plein Feu /Edition Picasso (underneath)
5.12in ( 13cm )

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Inquiry - Têtes, 1956

In 1956, Pablo Picasso created a pitcher made of white glazed clay with a decoration of oxidized paraffin and white enamel. 'Têtes' (Heads) is a work that highlights the artist's subtle humor. He crafted two curious fauns who gaze at us from this pitcher. Their expressions are a mix of surprise and joy. The artist drew their faces in black, making their eyes appear large and curious, and their horns curve upwards, enhancing their animalistic appearance. Picasso always had a soft spot for mythological creatures. Fauns and satyrs frequently appear in his work, be it in his paintings, ceramics, or even sculptures. Picasso added decorative touches, such as black dots along the top of the pitcher and the handle. Moreover, a figure resembling a leaf on the side divides the two faces. The simplicity of this pitcher contributes to its artistic value, giving it a spontaneous appearance.

This ceramic is stamped with the pottery seals 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and 'EDITION PICASSO' at the bottom. It is part of a limited edition of 500 copies.

Pablo Picasso, born on October 25, 1881 in Malaga, Spain, and died on April 8, 1973 in Mougins, France, is one of the most famous and influential artists of the 20th century. His prolific career and ability to innovate across various styles and artistic movements have left an indelible mark on the history of modern art.

Pablo Picasso showed early artistic talent, learning from his father, José Ruiz y Blasco, an art professor. At the age of 14, he was admitted to the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona, where he quickly developed his academic skills. By the late 1890s, he moved to Paris, immersing himself in the city's vibrant artistic scene.

In the early 1900s, Picasso went through a period marked by blue tones and melancholic themes, influenced by personal hardships and economic struggles around him. Iconic works such as "La Vie" (1903) and "Les Pauvres Gens" (1903) illustrate this period, characterized by a palette of cold colors and an exploration of deep human emotions.
Around 1904, Picasso entered his Rose Period, characterized by warmer tones and lighter subject matter. Works like "Les Saltimbanques" (1905) captured scenes of circus life and extravagant characters with a poetic softness.

Cubism, co-founded by Picasso and Georges Braque around 1907, marked a revolutionary turning point in art history. The movement deconstructed traditional forms into geometric fragments and explored the simultaneous representation of multiple viewpoints. Picasso explored Analytic Cubism in works like "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907), which represented a radical departure from traditional figurative representation.
During World War I, Picasso and his contemporaries developed Synthetic Cubism, characterized by the use of collage and diverse materials to create complex and often enigmatic compositions.

Picasso expanded beyond painting into sculpture and ceramics starting in the 1920s, exploring three-dimensional forms and varied textures. His sculptures, such as "Tête de Femme" (1931), used materials like metal and wood to express abstract and figurative forms with the same mastery as his paintings.

During the Spanish Civil War, Picasso created one of his most famous and politically charged works, "Guernica" (1937). This monumental mural denounces the horrors of the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by German and Italian forces, symbolizing suffering and resistance to oppression.

After World War II, Picasso entered a so-called "classical" period, revisiting classical European art themes such as nudes, portraits, and still lifes. Works such as "La Chèvre" (1950) show a simplification of forms and a softer use of color, marking a contrast with his more radical and experimental periods.
Until his death in 1973, Picasso continued to create with constant energy and inventiveness. His later works reflect his ongoing exploration of new techniques and his commitment to artistic experimentation.

Pablo Picasso leaves behind an immense legacy. His ability to constantly reinvent his style and push the boundaries of art has influenced generations of artists. His contributions to Cubism, sculpture, and other forms of artistic expression have redefined the possibilities of modern art and continue to inspire and captivate the contemporary art world.