Pablo Picasso

F. de Rojas, La Célestine, Editions de l'Atelier Crommelynck, Paris, 1971 (C. & G. 149)

Details
Pablo Picasso
F. de Rojas, La Célestine, Editions de l'Atelier Crommelynck, Paris, 1971 (C. & G. 149)
etchings and aquatints, 1968, on Richard de Bas laid paper, watermark La Célestine, title, text, justification and set of 66, signed in pencil by the artist on the justification, copy number 164 from the total edition of 400 (there was also a separate signed suite of 50), the full sheets as published, one or two scattered foxmarks mainly in the text, generally in very good condition, bound in vellum-covered boards with printed title on front in half vellum chemise within vellum-covered slipcase, in good condition(book)
overall S. 220 x 178mm.

Lot Essay

La Célestine is one of the major works in Spanish literature, published in Burjos in 1499. The story is about Calisto who is passionately in love with Melibea, a chaste and closely chaperoned girl. He pays Célestina to act as matchmaker. Picasso was particularly attracted to the character of Célestina whose corruption knows no bounds. She often appears as a little old woman in erotic scenes and nocturnal abductions.

The etchings created for La Célestine form part of the famous 347 Series. The album contains the following Bloch numbers: 1507, 1529, 1540, 1541, 1558, 1559, 1563, 1564, 1573-1576, 1581-1583, 1587, 1588, 1592, 1593, 1596-1603, 1605-1607, 1616, 1617, 1625-1631, 1635-1637, 1648-1650, 1654, 1655, 1657, 1658, 1661, 1664, 1665, 1668-1670, 1690, 1691, 1694, 1727, 1729, 1733, 1749, 1751, 1754, 1762 and more

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