Le Vieux Roi (Le Vieux Bouffon). 1963.
Linocut in colours.
Baer 1338 B i. 3. alpha (of B i. 3. beta). Bloch 1152. Signed and numbered 26/160. Dated in the form. A good rich impression on Arches (with watermark). 64 : 52,5 cm (25,1 : 20,6 in). Sheet: 74,5 x 62 cm (29,3 x 24,4 in). In the 1950/60s Picasso reverts to the previously disregarded technique of linocut. The painter introduces the colour in the principally black and white graphics and produces six plates, one for each colour. Our linocut shows a colourful and ornamental variation of 'Le Vieux Roi', a well known sujet of Picassos later works.

Printed by Arnéra, Vallauris, published by Edition 'Le Patriote', Nice 1963
A few soft handling creases in the margins, slightly visible. Minor light-staining. Hardly perceptible rubbing marks to the printed surface, mainly in the lower image. A scratch (4 cm) and a pressure mark on the reverse, faintly visible through the sheet. Taped to the mount along the upper sheet edge, otherwise in good condition. [SuS]