Pablo Picasso as Book Illustrator
Marcel Duchamp is arguably the most influential artist of the twentieth century, but most would concur that Pablo Picasso was the greatest. In innovation and output, Picasso as a painter, sculptor, draftsman and printmaker was without equal. He was also one of the greatest book illustrators of the twentieth century. There are three books in each of the previous two galleries to represent his earlier work from the years 1911 to 1930. This gallery, containing forty-one volumes, represents his prodigious activity as a book illustrator over the final five decades of his life. Working in etching, engraving, drypoint, aquatint, lithography, and linoleum cut, Picasso explored a full array of artistic styles including Cubism, Classicism, Surrealism, and Expressionism.
Chevaux de minuit by Hélène Barrone d'Oettingen (Roch Grey)
Book with 13 illustrations total: 1 drypoint (on parchment) and 12 engravings with burin (on glazed China paper), loose sheets folded in two or in three.
L'Escalier de Flore (Staircase of Flore) by René Char
Book with 2 drypoints on celluloid, printed on laid Auvergne à la main paper; loose in Bristol wrappers; the front cover with a trapezoidal aperture.
Dans l'atelier de Picasso (In Picasso's Studio)
Book with 6 transfer lithographs (4 color, 2 b/w) on Arches wove paper; loose in Arches wove wrappers with one color lithograph on the front cover.
Balzacs en bas de casse et Picasso sans majuscule
Book with 8 transfer lithographs on Arches wove paper by Picasso; loose in a cloth-covered portfolio with cardboard flaps, tie-strings, and lettering on the front.
Picasso derrière le masque (Picasso Behind the Mask)
Book with 1 drypoint on celluloid printed on Auvergne à la main; loose in Bristol paper wrappers with lettering on the front cover.
