Pablo Picasso as Book Illustrator

Marcel Duchamp is arguably the most influential artist of the twentieth century, but most would concur that Pablo Picasso was the greatest. In innovation and output, Picasso as a painter, sculptor, draftsman and printmaker was without equal. He was also one of the greatest book illustrators of the twentieth century. There are three books in each of the previous two galleries to represent his earlier work from the years 1911 to 1930. This gallery, containing forty-one volumes, represents his prodigious activity as a book illustrator over the final five decades of his life. Working in etching, engraving, drypoint, aquatint, lithography, and linoleum cut, Picasso explored a full array of artistic styles including Cubism, Classicism, Surrealism, and Expressionism.

Petite anthologie poétique du surréalisme

Book with 1 etching on Montval laid paper (reproductions also); Montval laid paper wrappers with green and black printing on the front cover; title in white

De derrière les fagots

Book with 1 drypoint with burin (color) on Japan nacré paper; bound with Japan paper wrappers with lettering in black on cover and spine.

Lysistrata by Aristophanes translated by Gilbert Seldes

Book with 6 illustrations (1 etching with aquatint, 5 etchings) on Rives wove paper, 27 reproductions of lithographed drawings.

Les Yeux fertiles by Paul Eluard

Book with 4 reproductive illustrations on Pannekoek Holland paper; Japan wrappers with lettering on the front cover and spine.

La Barre d'appui by Paul Eluard

Book with 10 illustrations total: 4 etchings with sugar lift aquatint on Manufactures Impériales buff wove Antique Japan paper.

The Picasso Gallery

A portrait of Pablo Picasso

Quick Search