Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881 to 1973)
While Picasso is most famous for his paintings and sculptures, his work with ceramics was just as imaginative and ambitious. He began working with clay in 1947 and spent most of his vacations for the next 25 years working at the Madoura Pottery workshop in Vallauris, France. He was prolific in his ceramic work, creating editions of his ceramics, just as he did with prints, still using his characteristic style and bold color choices. Picasso’s involvement varied with each piece. Sometimes he molded the clay himself; sometimes he painted already fired platters and jugs. The decorative painting on the clay coincided with his interest in the classicism of the Mediterranean aesthetic.
Information courtesy of Skinner Inc., September 2007