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This original lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Picasso” in the lower left image.
It is also hand signed in pencil from the edition of 50, in the lower left image. There were also five artist’s proofs aside from the standard edition.
It was printed by Fernand Mourlot, Paris in 1954.
Other impressions of this subject are held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Museu Picasso, Barcelona.
Note: This composition was later used as the basis for a tapestry woven by the celebrated Pinton Frères of Aubusson in 1959, under the supervision of the master weaver Pierre Baudouin. The tapestry is titled as ‘Les clowns à la lune bleue’ [Clowns in the Blue Moon], which is sometimes erroneously described as being from 1969.
Literature:
1. Mourlot, F. (2009). Picasso Project: Picasso. The Lithographic Work. Volume II. 1949-1969. San Francisco: Alan Wofsy.
Reference: Mourlot 262.
2. Bloch, G. (1971). Pablo Picasso: Tome I. Catalogue of the Printed Graphic Work 1904-1967. Bern: Edition Kornfeld et Klipstein.
Reference: Bloch 766.
Condition: Very good condition. There are some scuffs to the surface, most notable in the purple area. The sheet is slightly toned. Soft handling crease in the upper right corner visible in raking light.
