"Santa Claus" Trial Proof from Myths, 1981 - Screenprint with Diamond Dust by Andy Warhol

Santa Claus Trial Proof From Myths, 1981; Screenprint in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board; Signed Andy Warhol and numbered TP 26/30 in pencil lower right; Published by Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, Inc., New York; Size - Sheet 38" x 38", Frame 45 1/2 x 45 1/2"; Catalogue Raisonne: Feldman/Schellmann: II.266; Framed floated on an acid free mat, silver wood frame, and UV conservation clear museum perfect glass.

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

In 1981, Andy Warhol created a series of works that he called Myths. They were all portraits of iconic figures and included, The Star a portrait of Greta Garbo from the film Mata Hari, Uncle Sam, Mammy, Howdy Doody, Superman, The Witch, Dracula, Mickey Mouse, Santa Claus, and The Shadow, a profile portrait of Andy Warhol in red casting a shadow on a wall beside him. In addition to Warhol's use of bold graphic colors, he added diamond dust to the prints. Diamond dust was Andy's term for the finely crushed glass that was added to the lines and/or the background of his serigraphed prints. The resulting works were spectacular, and the diamond dust was the magical sparkle that seemed to make the works even more mythical!

Close up of the two Santa Claus faces.

Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santy, or simply Santa is a mythical figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to "good" children on Christmas Eve and the early morning hours of Christmas Day. The modern day Santa Claus is derived from a combination of the British figure of Father Christmas, the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, and Saint Nicholas the historical Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra.

Close up of the edition number and the Andy Warhol pencil signature.

L. Frank Baum's 1902 children's book The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, further popularized Santa Claus. Because much of Santa Claus's history was not set in stone at the time, this allowed Baum plenty of room to provide a history and greater character development. Images of Santa Claus were further popularized through the artist Haddon Sundblom's depiction of him for The Coca-Cola Company's Christmas advertising campaign of the 1930's. The popularity of the now idealized image created urban legends that Santa Claus was invented by The Coca-Cola Company, or that Santa wears red and white because they are the colors used to promote the Coca-Cola brand; neither of which is true.

Close up of the Andy Warhol copyright and the Publisher stamp, verso.

Framed  "Santa Claus" Trial Proof from Myths, 1981 by Andy Warhol.

Andy Warhol adored Christmas and created a great many works of art centered around the Holiday, as well as numerous advertising campaigns. This work, "Santa Claus," from 1981 was created by Warhol by first photographing an individual dressed up as Santa and then selecting the best photograph in which to begin work. The image was then cropped, paint colors chosen; and after, silkscreening, Diamond Dust was glued on top of the outlines giving "Santa Claus" a mythical and magical quality. This is a unique Trial Proof of "Santa Claus" and the color combination is specific to this work.  In addition to the unique Warhol color choices, there is an addition face image of Santa that was screened in red, 90 degrees and to the right of the main image. Warhol had utilized addition turned and shifted images in his paintings of the 1960's however, this is the only known impression of Santa Claus where a double facial exposure exists. The words of the song "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" can really enhance the idea of the double face image with the words "He sees you when you're sleeping - He knows when you're awake - He knows if you've been bad or good - So be good for goodness sake!" Those extra set of eyes see all of the children around the world; and this work is so beautiful, that it should be hung on the wall and enjoyed all year long!

#Warhol #AndyWarhol #PopArt #Santa #SantaClaus #StNick #SaintNicholas #SaintNick #FatherChristmas #KrisKringle #Santy #DiamondDust #LFrankBaum #FrankBaum #Christmas #HaddonSundblom #CocaCola #untitledartgallery #Sinterklaas #JohnFrederickCoots #SantaClausisComintoTown #HavenGillespie #EddieCantor

Picador Pitcher 1952 by Pablo Picasso

Picador Pitcher, 1952; Terracotta pitcher with black glaze; From the edition of 500; Inscribed 'EDITION PICASSO MADOURA' underside; Size - Picador Pitcher: 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 4 1/2"; Catalogue Raisonne: A.R. 162.

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

During the late 1940s, Pablo Picasso spent the summers on the Cote d'Azur in the South of France. There the artist visited Vallauris for the annual pottery exhibition in 1946. He was impressed by the quality of the Madoura works and was introduced to the owners, Suzanne and Georges Ramié. The Ramiés welcomed the famous artist into their workshop and gave him access to all the tools and resources the he needed in order to work in the medium of ceramics. In exchange, the Ramié family would produce and sell his limited edition ceramic works and this relationship spanned 25 years. It was also at the Madoura factory in 1953 that Picasso met Jacqueline Roque, who would become his second wife in 1961.

Side view of Picador Pitcher showing the bull.

Side view of Picador Pitcher showing the handle.

The Market for Picasso ceramics has been steadily rising as outlined by a recent article:
"Over the past 10 years, the market for Picasso ceramics has steadily grown, with seasoned collectors and new buyers alike vying for Picasso's editioned and unique ceramics at auction. This market is stable, with a steady high sell-through rate around 89% (87% in 2004, 89% in 2005, 87% in 2011, and 90% in 2012), and prices that are still lower than the rest of Picasso's work. The broad range of estimates and sales prices help make this market attractive to many collectors, but also explain the high average sales prices, which are skewed by a few exceptional pieces. In the previous two years, more than 60 exceptional ceramic works sold for over US$100,000: 34 in 2011 and 29 in 2012 (vs. six in 2004 and 2005)." - The Story Behind Picasso Ceramics, by Fanny Lakoubay and Conner Williams, 2013

Side view of Picador Pitcher showing the spout.

The famed artist Georges Bloch stated of Picasso’s ceramic works:
 "…in approach, material and technique is as novel as it is interesting. Pottery, gleaming white discs with relief designs, monochrome or brightly coloured ovals, dishes and even jugs and vases here serve as bearers of compositions whose themes express the joyous, life-loving side of Picasso’s work. They are printed from blocks and stamps fashioned by the master over a period of more than twenty years in the Madoura pottery workshop in Vallauris.”

Bottom of Picador Pitcher showing the 'EDITION PICASSO MADOURA' inscription.

Picasso loved three things in life more than anything else: art, bullfighting, and women; most likely in that order. With his ceramic Picador Pitcher he combines two of those loves into one object, by making a three dimensional work of art with bullfighting as it's subject. A Picador is one of a pair of horsemen in a Spanish bullfight that jab the bull with a lance. They perform in the "Tercio de Varas" which is the first of the three stages in a Spanish bullfight. The Picador has three main functions:

1) To pierce the muscle on the back of the bull’s neck in order to straighten the bull's charge.
2) To fatigue the bull’s neck muscles and general stamina as it tries to lift the horse with its head.
3) To lower the bull’s head in preparation for the next stage.

Picador Pitcher, not only has the image of the Picador holding his lance and sitting astride his horse, but on the opposite side has the image of the bull as well. In addition, the handle of the pitcher is wonderfully decorated. A beautiful ceramic by Pablo Picasso and a great addition to any art collection!

#Picasso #PabloPicasso #ceramic #Picassoceramic #Madoura #MadouraPottery #Vallauris #SuzanneRamie #GeorgesRamie #Ramie #JacquelineRoque #untitledartgallery #cubism #Picador #PicadorPitcher #bull #GeorgesBloch #bullfighter #bullfighting #FrancoisGilot

Chouette (Wood Owl) Vase by Pablo PIcasso, 1968

Chouette (Wood Owl) Vase, 1968; Partially glazed white earthenware engraved vase painted in colors; Numbered 343/500; Inscribed 'EDITION PICASSO' and 'R141 MADOURA', with the 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and the 'EDITION PICASSO' pottery stamps on the underside; Size - Wood Owl Vase: 11 3/4" x 6 1/2" x 9 1/2"; Catalogue Raisonne: A.R. 543.

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

During the late 1940s, Pablo Picasso spent the summers on the Cote d'Azur in the South of France. There the artist visited Vallauris for the annual pottery exhibition in 1946. He was impressed by the quality of the Madoura works and was introduced to the owners, Suzanne and Georges Ramié. The Ramiés welcomed the famous artist into their workshop and gave him access to all the tools and resources the he needed in order to work in the medium of ceramics. In exchange, the Ramié family would produce and sell his limited edition ceramic works and this relationship spanned 25 years. It was also at the Madoura factory in 1953 that Picasso met Jacqueline Roque, who would become his second wife in 1961.

Side view of the Chouette (Wood Owl) Vase by Pablo Picasso

Front view of the Chouette (Wood Owl) Vase by Pablo Picasso

The Market for Picasso ceramics has been steadily rising as outlined by a recent article:
"Over the past 10 years, the market for Picasso ceramics has steadily grown, with seasoned collectors and new buyers alike vying for Picasso's editioned and unique ceramics at auction. This market is stable, with a steady high sell-through rate around 89% (87% in 2004, 89% in 2005, 87% in 2011, and 90% in 2012), and prices that are still lower than the rest of Picasso's work. The broad range of estimates and sales prices help make this market attractive to many collectors, but also explain the high average sales prices, which are skewed by a few exceptional pieces. In the previous two years, more than 60 exceptional ceramic works sold for over US$100,000: 34 in 2011 and 29 in 2012 (vs. six in 2004 and 2005)." - The Story Behind Picasso Ceramics, by Fanny Lakoubay and Conner Williams, 2013

Side view of the Chouette (Wood Owl) Vase by Pablo Picasso

Back view of the Chouette (Wood Owl) Vase by Pablo Picasso

The famed artist Georges Bloch stated of Picasso’s ceramic works:
 "…in approach, material and technique is as novel as it is interesting. Pottery, gleaming white discs with relief designs, monochrome or brightly coloured ovals, dishes and even jugs and vases here serve as bearers of compositions whose themes express the joyous, life-loving side of Picasso’s work. They are printed from blocks and stamps fashioned by the master over a period of more than twenty years in the Madoura pottery workshop in Vallauris.”

Inscribed 'EDITION PICASSO' and 'R141 MADOURA', with the 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and the 'EDITION PICASSO' pottery stamps on the underside

From Charles Mathes's site valuethoughts.com:
"In 1946 Picasso was staying near Antibes in the South of France and decorating the walls of what would become the Musée Picasso. A small owl with an injured claw that had been found in a corner ended up living with him and his lover, Francois Gilot. According to Gilot in her book “Life With Picasso” the owl was an ill-tempered creature who smelled awful and ate only mice. The owl would snort at Picasso and bite his fingers; Picasso would reply with a string of obscenities just to show the bird who was the most ill-tempered. Clearly bad manners were the way to Picasso’s heart for not only did he do a number of paintings, drawings and prints of owls, he created numerous ceramics."

Inscribed 'EDITION PICASSO' and 'R141 MADOURA', with the 'MADOURA PLEIN FEU' and the 'EDITION PICASSO' pottery stamps on the underside

Top view of the Chouette (Wood Owl) Vase by Pablo Picasso

Picasso would use the owl in paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics for the rest of his life. After Picasso's death, drawings were found that illustrate that the form used for the owl ceramics had been made during the time in 1946 when the wood owl first appeared in Picasso's atelier. This is a wonderful owl vase ceramic created in 1968, and the painting of the vessel is beautifully rendered in browns, green, black, and cream colors. The brushstrokes are consistent with free form feathers making up the wings, head, and feet. This is a spectacular piece of original Picasso artwork and a great addition for any art collection!

Click on the short video below to see Francoise Gilot, the lover and muse of Pablo Picasso from 1944-1953 and the mother of his two children Paloma and Claude, discuss the small wood owl that came into their lives.

#Picasso #PabloPicasso #ceramic #Picassoceramic #Madoura #MadouraPottery #Vallauris #SuzanneRamie #GeorgesRamie #Ramie #JacquelineRoque #untitledartgallery #cubism #diaulos #diaulosplayer #faun #GeorgesBloch #Chouette #Owl #WoodOwl #FrancoisGilot