Three figures on a trampoline, 1956; Partially glazed white earthenware convex wall plaque, painted in ivory and brown, from the edition of 500, with the 'Madoura Plein Feu' and 'Empreinte Originale de Picasso' stamps verso; Size - Plaque 7 1/2 x 7 1/2"; Catalogue Raisonne: A.R. 374; Unframed.
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.
Back of the Picasso Wall Plaque.
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
Close up of the 'Madoura Plein Feu' and 'Empreinte Originale de Picasso' stamps verso.
"Three figures on a trampoline," 1956 is a stunning composition of both movement and form. Pablo Picasso has transformed the art of the textured surface of this ceramic plate by depicting a series of three figures on a trampoline. Each is suspended in mid-air, each in varying positions, and each figure complementing the other in an equally balanced and innovative composition.
No comments:
Post a Comment