lithograph, handmade paper, 44 x 33 cm; originally mounted on black acid-free cardboard 50 x 40 cm;, signed p. d. facsimile of Picasso's signature, numbered in pencil l. d.: 738/1200, in l. d. corner of the paper reflected head according to Picasso's drawing,, on the back p. d. footer: PABLO PICASSO, VOLLARD SUITE, Planche [number of the print in Roman numerals], Été tirée a 1.200 exemplaires. Tous, les exemplaires ont été numérotés, Copyright by S.P.A.D.E.M. 1973.The lithographs are from the only pencil numbered series issued for the Müllheim Museum under the control of SPADEM in an edition of 1,200. Original certificate.
The "Vollard Suite" series is a series of 100 engravings originally made in etching; engraved by Roger Lacouriere (1892-1967) since 1939. The series was created by Picasso between 1930 and 1937 and was namedafterthe art dealerwhocommissionedthem from Picasso, Ambroise Vollard (1866-1939). Vollard did notlive to see the publication ofthe entire series,which was sponsored by the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fundafter his death. The seriesincludes prints onvarioussubjects, butthe most importantis thesculptor's studio.Among themis a groupdepictingacarvedheadreminiscent of several othersthat Picassocreated inspired byhislover,Marie-ThéreseWalter. Many of these engravings depict afemalefigurereminiscent of Marie-Thérèse,whowas hismuse andmodel.
Sexuality is arecurringmotif inPicasso'swork, depicted invarious ways. In the 1930s,he begancreating scenes of sexual violence. At the time, Picassowasinfluenced by Surrealism,whichencouraged the exploration ofunconsciousthoughtsanddesires.
