A unique Picasso lithograph up for sale, priced at £60,000
Article: "Picasso's 'David et Bethsabée (d'après Cranach)' Finds a New Home at Shapero Modern"
In the realm of 20th-century art, a significant piece by Pablo Picasso, titled "David et Bethsabée (d'après Cranach), has recently become available at Shapero Modern. This lithograph, created in 1949, is a reinterpretation of a biblical subject originally depicted by the Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Picasso, renowned for his revisits to classic themes and artists, adapted the story of David and Bathsheba into his modern style. This piece exemplifies his ongoing dialogue with art history and myth, bridging traditional biblical and mythological themes with 20th-century artistic innovation.
The lithograph, printed on rare Chinese silk paper, is regarded as a collectible and valuable print in the art market, showcasing its continued relevance and appreciation. It is an important example of Picasso's graphic work in the late 1940s, reflecting his interest in merging past artistic traditions with modernist expression.
During Picasso's relationship with Francoise Gilot, he encountered Genevieve Laporte. An intriguing encounter took place when Laporte visited Picasso, and during this visit, Picasso's boxer dog, Yan, dropped a stick at Laporte's feet. However, this seemingly ordinary moment led to a disagreement between the two, marked by a dispute over the appropriateness of playing with a dog in Picasso's house.
Laporte, who later married a hero of the French Resistance, recalled this incident in her book, Sunshine at Midnight: Memories of Picasso and Cocteau. Picasso clumsily implied for Laporte to move in with him, asking her if she was coming as he was about to leave for a villa. Laporte reluctantly handed the lithograph back to Picasso, thinking he would want it back.
However, Picasso wrote Laporte's name on the sheet of the lithograph and told her that it was unique, implying a sense of ownership or a special connection. Despite this, Laporte sold Picasso's artworks to raise money to found her own animal-welfare charity, demonstrating a unique twist in the narrative of this artistic piece.
Carla Passino, the Arts & Antiques editor for the platform, joined in 2023, having previously won awards for covering heritage, conservation, history, and property stories as a freelance journalist. With her expertise, the lithograph "David et Bethsabée (d'après Cranach)" is now accessible to art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
[1] Picasso, Pablo. "David et Bethsabée (d'après Cranach)". 1949. [2] Cranach, Lucas. "David and Bathsheba". c. 1530.
- As Picasso delved into modernizing classic themes, his depiction of 'David et Bethsabée (d'après Cranach)', in 1949, coincided with his exploration of relationships, notably a disagreement with Genevieve Laporte, who later wrote about the encounter in her book, 'Sunshine at Midnight: Memories of Picasso and Cocteau'.
- In the dynamic world of art and entertainment, the reemergence of Picasso's 'David et Bethsabée (d'après Cranach)', a lithograph showcased at Shapero Modern, is capturing the attention of art enthusiasts, celebrities, and book lovers alike, bridging the gap between the realms of history, myth, and contemporary appreciation.
