Pablo Picasso Figure de Proue Cearmic Pitcher A.R. 136 Edition of 300

Artist: Pablo Picasso
Title: Figure de Proue, A.R. 136
Medium: Ceramic, White Earthenware with Engraving, Engobe Decoration
Size: 9.75" x 10.5" x 5"
Year: 1952
Edition: 89/300
Inscription: Inscribed "Edition Picasso" and numbered in black, and with impressed stamps "Madoura Plein Feu" and "Edition Picasso"
Documentation: Includes a gallery certificate of authenticity

"Figure de Proue", A.R. 136, is a limited-edition ceramic created by Pablo Picasso in 1952 in collaboration with the Madoura Pottery in Vallauris, a partnership that marked one of the most significant chapters in Picasso's later career. The work is executed in white earthenware and features engraved and engobe-painted decoration finished with a glaze, integrating several ceramic techniques Picasso adopted during his extensive experimentation in the medium. The vessel's anthropomorphic form and stylized facial features exemplify the artist's interest in transforming functional objects into sculptural figures, a recurring theme throughout his ceramic practice.

As with all authenticated Picasso ceramics, the work is fully documented through its A.R. (Atelier Ramie) catalog number—A.R. 136—a critical reference confirming the design's place within the authoritative catalogue raisonne of Picasso's ceramic production. This cataloging system was established in collaboration with Suzanne and Georges Ramie of the Madoura studio and remains the definitive scholarly record for identifying genuine Picasso ceramics. The piece is further authenticated by multiple inscriptions, including the painted notation “Edition Picasso", the edition number, and impressed stamps reading “Madoura Plein Feu" and “Edition Picasso".

From 1946 onward, Picasso produced over 600 editioned ceramic works at Madoura, exploring motifs drawn from classical mythology, the human figure, and Mediterranean animal imagery. "Figure de Proue" reflects this broader body of work through its bold linear treatment, stylized anatomical elements, and inventive reimagining of the vessel as a sculptural form. The present example includes a gallery certificate of authenticity and stands as a notable representation of Picasso's engagement with ceramics as both an experimental medium and a vital component of his multidisciplinary artistic practice.

About Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, and ceramicist whose groundbreaking contributions to modern art have made him one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Born in Málaga, Spain, Picasso demonstrated extraordinary artistic talent from a young age, studying at the Royal Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. Over a prolific career spanning more than seven decades, he explored an array of styles, media, and artistic movements, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art.

Picasso is widely recognized for co-founding the Cubist movement alongside Georges Braque, revolutionizing visual representation by breaking down objects into geometric forms and multiple perspectives. Beyond Cubism, his work encompasses periods such as the Blue Period, Rose Period, Neoclassical Period, and Surrealism, each characterized by distinct thematic and stylistic approaches. His experimentation with line, form, color, and perspective transformed traditional notions of composition, challenging the boundaries between representation and abstraction.

In addition to painting, Picasso made significant contributions to sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics, often integrating innovative techniques and materials. His works are held in major public and private collections worldwide, including the Musée Picasso in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. Picasso's influence extends beyond visual art to architecture, literature, and popular culture, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure whose work continues to shape contemporary artistic practice.