lithograph, handmade paper, 33 x 43 cm; signed lower right: facsimile of Picasso’s signature; numbered in pencil lower left: 738/1200, in the lower left corner of the paper, a head is printed based on a drawing by Picasso; on the reverse, lower right: footer: PABLO PICASSO, VOLLARD SUITE, Planche [print number in Roman numerals], Printed in an edition of 1,200 copies. All copies were numbered. Copyright by S.P.A.D.E.M. 1973.
The lithographs come from the only series, numbered in pencil, published for the Müllheim Museum under the supervision of SPADEM in a print run of 1,200 copies.
The “Vollard Suite” is a series of 100 prints originally created using the etching technique and engraved by Roger Lacouriere (1892–1967) beginning in 1939. Picasso created the series between 1930 and 1937, and it was named in honor of the art dealer who commissioned it from Picasso, Ambroise Vollard (1866–1939). Vollard did not live to see the publication of the entire series, which was sponsored by the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund after his death. The series includes prints on various themes, but the most significant is the sculptor’s studio. Among them is a group depicting a sculpted head reminiscent of several others that Picasso created, inspired by his lover, Marie-Thérèse Walter. Many of these prints depict a female figure resembling Marie-Thérèse, who was his muse and model.
Sexuality is a recurring theme in Picasso’s work, depicted in various ways. In the 1930s, he began creating scenes of sexual violence. At that time, Picasso was influenced by Surrealism, which encouraged the exploration of unconscious thoughts and desires.
