Theatrical Study of a Nude and Man - Heliogravure - Pablo Picasso - 1954

“Plate from Verve No. 29/30 — Dessins 1902–1949”

Heliogravure after a drawing dated December 2, 1958

Published by Tériade, Paris, 1954

15.5” H x 19” W (framed)

A dramatic heliogravure print by Pablo Picasso, originally published in the legendary Verve No. 29/30 (1954) by art publisher Tériade in Paris. This double issue of Verve was dedicated entirely to Picasso and included 164 heliogravure plates after his drawings spanning nearly five decades. Printed by Draeger Frères, with color executed by Mourlot, the publication is considered one of the most important Picasso books of the 20th century.

The present composition depicts a striking juxtaposition of a monumental nude woman and a diminutive, caricature-like man in period dress — a subject drawn from Picasso’s playful and theatrical works of the late 1950s. The plate bears Picasso’s facsimile date 2.12.58, faithfully reproducing the original drawing.

While Verve was issued in a notable edition, complete surviving volumes are exceedingly rare, as most were dismantled in the decades following publication. Individual plates were often removed and framed, which has made well-preserved, standalone examples increasingly desirable to collectors. This print, framed to museum standards with linen matting and UV-protective museum glass, represents both a piece of art publishing history and an accessible way to collect Picasso.

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Strong image quality with preserved tonal contrasts. Archival presentation under museum glass and custom frame.

Provenance:

Published by Tériade, Paris, in Verve No. 29/30, 1954. Private collection.