etching, paper, 35 x 29 cm
Etching on Arches paper, according to a drawing by Picasso, with the author's approval, published in 1970/1972,
dimensions: 35 x 29 cm, framed,
signed in pencil "Picasso",
edition limited to 200 pieces, including 10 pieces by the author,
numbered, l.d. E/A.
Authenticity confirmed by Picasso's heirs with a certificate "Collection Marina Picasso" and a certificate from a gallery in New York.
Francoise Gilot was 21 years old when she met the 61-year-old Picasso in a café inParis.Sittingat another table withhissoon-to-be dumpedlover,Dora Maar, Picasso, fascinated by her beauty, immediately approached her table with a bowl ofcherriesandintroducedhimself. They lived together in the French countryside for almost 10 years and hadtwo children,although they never married. She isthe onlywomanwho everleftPicasso,recallingtheir affair as "adisasterIdidn'twant toavoid."
Shealsowas and still is anextraordinarypainter. Picassosaidshe was toobeautiful tobea painter, during their first meeting in a café; Gilot,although herworkwas inspired by Picasso, alwayspreferredMatisse's style to Picasso's.
It is reminiscent of Greco-Roman aesthetics and is one of the many tracesofclassicalinfluence in Picasso's work.Perhapsdue to histraining in classicism,heshowed strongskillsin portraiturefrom anearlyage, which allows him todepict thehumanfigure withsuch ease, asseen in this drawing.
While her face is simply drawn, her hair explodes around her with Medusa-like charm. She is wonderfully handsome, with a charmingsinceritycaptured by that angular nose. Picasso masterfullyusestwo straight, rough lines togive direction to her face andgather her boldness,seriousness and touch of gentlenessinto a point. That piquantlyarchedbrow is the only flirtatious flavor in her, dipped beneath acalm,thoughtfulposture. Her eyesareperhapstired,perhapsresigned, but they never lack the perceptivequalitythatanimatesher.Above all, herhairisstriking.Herhairflapping,roaring,curly, with strands as ifhalfconspiringwitheach other,halfemanatinganindulgentmagical realism in thisotherwisesoberdrawing.Tangledpencilstrokesflirt withimagination.
