Details
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)
Plat: Un poisson
dated '19.5.56', stamped with the Artist's signature, the maker's mark of François & Pierre Hugo, with the French "Head of Minerva" mark and numbered 5/20 (on the underside)
16½in. (42cm.) diameter
Conceived in 1956 and cast in 1967 in an edition of 20 plus two exemplaires d'artiste
Literature
D. Cooper, Picasso, 19 plats en argent par François et Pierre Hugo, Paris, 1977 (another example illustrated).

Lot Essay

By 1956, Picasso had been working for ten years at the Madoura pottery works in Vallauris, producing decorated ceramics, including platters. While examining some recent work with art historian Douglas Cooper, Picasso commented how splendid they would look in silver, but lamented not knowing anyone who could undertake this project. Cooper proposed that the Artist engaged the assistance of silversmith François Hugo. In September 1956, an agreement was made by which Picasso would provide nineteen plates in biscuit for Hugo to execute in silver. The project was completed in about a year, and during the following eight years Picasso and Hugo continued to collaborate on other platters, bowls, medallions and free-standing figurines.

In 1967, Picasso authorized Hugo to produce an edition of twenty numbered examples plus two artist's proof of each platter.

Please also see lot 261 for note.

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