Picasso, Pablo (1881 - 1973)
Title:
Bird Under the Sun, 1952
Ceramic Madura bowl 6 1/4 inches diameter
Signed:
This work is stamped 'Edition Picasso,' and glazed 'Edition Picasso,' on the reverse
In 1946 Picasso in Golfe Juan with his friend Louis Fort, decided to visit the pottery exhibition in Vallauris. He took a particular interest in the Madura stand and asked to be introduced to the owners - Suzanne and Georges Ramié. They invited him to their Madura Pottery workshop in Vallauris. There he made three pieces which he left to dry and bake.
A year later Picasso returned to see how the pieces had turned out. He was delighted with the quality of the work and asked if he could make more. They agreed and an area of the workshop was arranged especially for him. Immediately, he began to work, inspired by his portfolio of sketches. So began a long and very productive partnership between Picasso and Madura. The whole Madura team became part of the creative process. They made sure Picasso had all the materials he needed and assisted in producing perfectly finished works of art. Suzanne Ramié shared her vast experience, teaching him all the secrets of ceramics.
The ceramics ranged from vases, sculptures, plaques to even a complete dinner service. The familiar themes included bullfighting scenes, portraits and nature - goats, birds, and fish. In 24 years over 633 pieces were created in limited editions all engraved with the Madura stamp.
Literature: Ramié, Alain, 1988, Picasso, Catalogue of the Edited Ceramic

excellent