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 a print of the 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The "Vollard Suite" series is a series of 100 engravings originally made in etching; engraved by Roger Lacouriere (1892-1967) since 1939.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 named after the art dealer who commissioned them from Picasso, Ambroise Vollard (1866-1939). Vollard did not live to see the publication of the entire series, which was sponsored by the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund after his death. The series includes prints of various subjects, but the most important is the sculptor's studio. Among them is a group depicting a carved head reminiscent of several others that Picasso created inspired by his lover, Marie-Thérese Walter. Many of these engravings depict a female figure reminiscent of Marie-Thérèse, who was his muse and model.
Sexuality is a recurring motif in Picasso's work, depicted in various ways. In the 1930s, he began creating scenes of sexual violence. At the time, Picasso was influenced by Surrealism, which encouraged the exploration of unconscious thoughts and desires.
