Fine Books & Manuscripts

PICASSO, Pablo (1881–1973). Le Pigeonneau, artist proof hand-colored by Picasso. Paris: Jonquières and Berggruen, 1939. Printed by Robert Blanchet. One of only a few artist proofs from the deluxe edition (out of 226) of 40 Dessins de Picasso en Marge du Buffon. Original linoleum cut on wove paper. SIGNED BY PICASSO in blue crayon and pencil inscribed “Epreuve d’artiste”, lower margin. HAND-COLORED BY THE ARTIST in red crayon (1962). Image area, 159 x 203 mm; wide margins. Framed by the original gallery, Merrill Chase, of Oakbrook, Illinois. Provenance: original LOA’s from both Berggruen & Cie (1971) and Merrill Chase Galleries (1972), each signed by the directors. DARK IMPRESSION WITH EXCELLENT PROVENANCE. Bloch 326. “Le Pegeonneau” or also referred to as “Squab”, was Picasso’s first execution of a linocut in 1939. In 1962, Heinz Berggruen, Paris’s renowned dealer in Picasso prints and owner of one of the most important private collections of modern European art, had a visitation in 1962 by his “old friend”, Pablo Picasso. “During their conversation, the dealer asked Picasso if he would like to see the linocut, ‘Squab’ … in an artistic fury of spontaneity, Picasso picked up a red marking crayon and proceeded to attack the ‘Squab’”. Miss Mara Erins, purchaser of the piece for Merrill Chase Galleries from Berggruen & Cie, goes on to tell the director of the gallery, Mr. M. Schwartz, “the coloration was completely harmonious to the integrity and feeling of the original execution. In a matter of seconds, it was over. As a fire consumed by its own intensity–so Picasso laid the crayon to rest. The end result– an original work- unlike any other in the world”. Included with the original letter of authenticity by Merrill Chase Galleries recounting this visit and an original letter of authenticity by Heinz Berggruen of Berggruen & Cie authenticating that the hand coloring done by Picasso was executed in his presence.