Pablo Picasso Artwork Details
Detailed Description
Reference: B.Baer (Volume VI) 1706 , Bloch 1691, Cramer 149Edition: 40/50
Published by: Gallerie Louis Leiris, 1969.
Note: This etching is number 210 of the so called 347 series made by Picasso at the grand old age of 87. Despite the old age of the artist the works are dynamic and amusing - his longevity has taken away none of his creativity. In a 6 month period the artist created 347 etchings - sometimes doing several in the course of a single day. All are dated, signed and numbered. This was a great feat for a man of his age! The work depicts a scene from “La Celestine” (Illustration number 11) which was a 15th century Spanish Classic work. This was a dramatised novel in 21 acts, attributed to Fernando de Rojas who published it in Burgos in 1499. The plot is a simple one: Calisto is in love with Melebea who spurns him. His butler, Sempronio, suggests he pays an elderly lady called Celestina to act as a go-between and matchmaker. Celestine is a very devious person who does contrive to approach Melebea and create a relationship between the two lovers. Sempronio, however, wants a share of the bribe money and in a quarrel with Celestina, kills her. Calisto falls from a ladder and dies - finally Melebea throws herself from a tower in her fathers house. The grief stricken parent is left alone then to bewail his sadness and misfortune. Picasso was fascinated by the story and when commissioned to create a series of etchings for it worked round the clock to complete them. The finished group of “La Celestine” etchings consisted of 66 pieces. The La Celestine works were a large and important section from the 347 series. The copper for this work still exists in the Musee Picasso, Paris and was donated by Crommelynck.
Condition: In very good condition
Provenance: Martin Lawrence Gallery, San Francisco
Printed by: Crommelynck Freres, France