PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. A fine and ...

PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. A fine and attractive original pen and ink drawing executed by Picasso, unsigned, to the correspondence half of a picture postcard, n.p. (Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhones), n.d. (1st August 1923). In bold pen and ink Picasso has drawn an image of a sailing boat with two masts and sails at sea. The simple, yet appealing, line drawing would appear to have been executed by the artist in a single continuous stroke, without removing his pen from the surface, and the wave of the sea continuing to the first line of the address on the opposite side. Adressed by Picasso to Monsieur and Madame Paul Rosenberg at 21 Rue La Boetie in Paris. Neatly laid down to a raised central mount within an ornate frame by Toupillier & Fils of Paris, glazed, and with their label affixed to the verso. 11 x 9 overall. A wonderful original drawing by Picasso with an interesting association. VG

Paul Rosenberg (1881-1959) French art dealer who represnted Picasso, Georges Braque and Henri Matisse. Rosenberg enjoyed a special exclusive contract with Picasso from 1918-40 and the two men and their families remained close for the rest of their lives, often holidaying together in the south of France. The Rue La Boetie, to where the present postcard was sent, has been described as the ´nerve centre´ of modern French art during the 1920s and 1930s.

Provenance: Paul Rosenberg, Paris; Gabriel Vicart, Paris (Rosenberg´s accountant); Sotheby´s auction house, Lot 312, 9th June 1983 (from where it was purchased by our vendor). A photocopy of Sotheby´s original catalogue entry is included with the lot and the verso of the frame still retains the printed catalogue photography label created by Sotheby´s on 5th April 1983.