Lot Essay
Picasso spent the summer of 1937 at Mougins, a small town a few miles from Cannes. He arrived that year after a turbulent period spent working on Guernica. "During the next weeks at Mougins Picasso's energy, in no way sapped by the ordeal of Guernica, expressed itself not only in the physical enjoyment of the unfailing sunshine but also in the constant invention of his mind." (R. Penrose, Picasso, His Life and Work, London, 1958, pp. 279-280)
Picasso used the summer to relax from the painting of Guernica, spending much of his time at the beach at Juan-les-Pins with Dora Maar and other house guests, including Paul Eluard and his wife. Nevertheless, Picasso was still able to find time to paint. This painting, with its strong vibrant colors bleached by the Mediterranean sunshine, clearly captures the gaiety of Picasso's daily activities, as well as his continued exhilaration and sense of triumph since the completion of Guernica.
A photo-certificate from Maya Widmaier Picasso dated Paris, October 23, 1995 accompanies this painting.
Picasso used the summer to relax from the painting of Guernica, spending much of his time at the beach at Juan-les-Pins with Dora Maar and other house guests, including Paul Eluard and his wife. Nevertheless, Picasso was still able to find time to paint. This painting, with its strong vibrant colors bleached by the Mediterranean sunshine, clearly captures the gaiety of Picasso's daily activities, as well as his continued exhilaration and sense of triumph since the completion of Guernica.
A photo-certificate from Maya Widmaier Picasso dated Paris, October 23, 1995 accompanies this painting.