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Saturday, June 2, 2012

Picasso Prints: Natural History, Part 1

+ JMJ +

This series of prints is considered by many to be among Picasso's most important graphic productions.  


LE BOEUF / The Ox, 1936
Histoire Naturelle
Etching with Aquatint by Pablo Picasso

Picasso was asked by publisher, Ambroise Vollard, to create a set of prints for the encyclopaedic work, Histoire Naturelle by George Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon.  In 1936, Picasso took up the task and in just over a month produced 32 plates (sugar lift aquatints). 

Le Belier (the ram)

Le Belier / The Ram, 1941-42 
Sugarlift aquatint and drypoint etching by Pablo Picasso

It would not be till 1942 that 31 of the 32 prints would be published. In book form, the prints of animals, birds, insects, etc were presented along with texts by Buffon selected by the publisher. 



La Biche / The Doe, 1942
Etching by Pablo Picasso

The one print not to appear in the book was entitled 'The Flea' and was the only print to include a human. The flea was so small that it could hardly be made out. Perhaps that is why it was left out of the book.   (Source)


Le Cheval / The Horse, 1942
Etching by Pablo Picasso

The etchings have often been interpreted as subtle projections of the artist's enigmatic personality. The prancing horse (for example) is taken to represent his defiant attitude to life.  (Source)


L'AIGLE BLANC
Histoire Naturelle
Etching with aquatint by Pablo Picasso


Combining a wide variety of techniques, including lift-ground aquatint, etching and drypoint, Picasso produced images of great clarity, immediacy and beauty. (Source)


LE SINGE / The Monkey, 1942
Histoire Naturelle
Etching with Aquatint by Pablo Picasso


LE LION, 1942
Histoire Naturelle
Etching with Aquatint by Pablo Picasso


Click here to see Part 2 of this post.
Click here to see Part 3 of this post.



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