Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Odalisque ,1995 (1955)

color lithograph, lithographic paper 34 x 25 cm in light passe - partout, 48 x 40 cm; signed on the plate under the composition p. d. "Picasso" and numbered in pencil "161/250"; l.d. dry stamp: "S.P.A.D.E.M. Paris" (SPADEM is the French equivalent of the Polish ZAIKS). On the reverse, typographical information about the edition amount and numbering of each lithograph and "copyright SPADEM,1995
The work on display depicts Jacqueline Roque in the costume of an "odalisque," a harem woman, painted by Picasso in 1955, an early period of their relationship, and is a colorful, delicate celebration of Jacqueline, whom Picasso married six years later and who became one of the most important muses in the artist's entire life.
In 1953, Picasso met Jacqueline Roque at the Madoura Pottery workshop. She was his last beloved, his last muse, his most faithful and fanatical admirer of his talent.When their romantic relationship began, Jacqueline went from being an assistant at the workshop to becoming Picasso's model. To this woman he devoted more paintings than to all others, because they lived together for 20 years, and for 17 of them she was the only woman he painted. In all her portraits painted in different techniques and styles, the calm and distant expression of her almond-shaped eyes always stands out.