Pablo Picasso Artwork Details

 

 

Detailed Description

Reference: Bloch 1802; Baer 1819. B.b.1
Provenance: Saidenburg Gallery, 1018 Madison Avenue, New York
Note: This is number 322 of the 347 series of etchings made between April and August 1968. It depicts a scene from “La Celestine” which was a 15th century Spanish Classic work. This was a dramatised novel in 21 acts, attributed to Fernando de Rojas who published it in Burgos in 1499. This work is considered a pivotal piece of Spanish literature. The plot is a simple one: Calisto is in love with Melebea who spurns him. His butler, Sempronio, suggests he pays an elderly lady called Celestina to act as a go-between and matchmaker. Celestine is a very devious person who does contrive to approach Melebea and create a relationship between the two lovers. Sempronio, however, wants a share of the bribe money and in a quarrel with Celestina, kills her. Calisto falls from a ladder and dies - finally Melebea throws herself from a tower in her fathers house. The grief stricken parent is left alone then to bewail his sadness and misfortune. Picasso was fascinated by the story and when commissioned to create a series of etchings for it worked round the clock to complete them. The finished group of “La Celestine” etchings consisted of 66 pieces. The La Celestine works were a large and important section from the 347 series.
Edition: 24/50
There were also 17 artists proofs.
Note: The cancelled copper plate which made this etching still exists. It was cancelled in 1979
Size: Paper size: 345 x 280 mms ; Plate size : 147 x 207 mms
Printed by: Crommelynck Freres.