(Spanish, 1881-1973) Picador (A.R. 201), edition of 200, slip-decorated and partially glazed white earthenware plate, 8-3/4 in. Literature: Ramie, Alain. Picasso: catalog of the edited ceramic works 1947-1971. Vallauris: Madoura, 1988, No. 201 Provenance:Property from an Important Southern Collection Reference A.R. 201. From the edition of 200 with the Madoura/Edition Picasso stamps on verso. In the history of modern art, one man’s genius has been nearly universally agreed upon Pablo Picasso. The story of the life and work of this formidable and extraordinary man, who mastered the drawing of the human body at age 13 and as a mature artist, literally shaped the nature of modern art. Independent and strong-willed, Picasso had established his own studio in Barcelona by 1899 and at age 18, he entered into the social, cultural and political life of the modern movement. He frequented the new café El Quatre Gats, a center for artists and cultural intellectuals who introduced Picasso to Art Nouveau and Symbolist influenced poster work, as well as anarchist politics. After 1900, Picasso spent much of his time in Paris, remaining there from 1904 to 1947, when he moved to the south of France. Outstanding among the masters of the ages, he remains one of the great legends of the Western world. In the summer of 1946, at the age of 64, Pablo Picasso, Françoise Gilot and companion, Louis Fort, attended the annual pottery exhibition in Vallauris. It is here, he met ceramicist, Suzanne Ramié. He took great interest in the artisan ceramic market of this region and was excited by the possibilities of this new medium. Picasso went on to befriend Georges and Suzanne Ramié and became captivated by their Madoura Pottery Studio. Picasso would return to Vallauris in the summer of 1947, after an invitation from Suzanne Ramié herself. Georges and Suzanne Ramié were very hospitable to Picasso, and even put all their other studio artisans at his disposal. Offering tool, personnel, material, storage, and techniques, knowledge, time, and experience, to Picasso– he thrived, spending most of 1947 at the studio. Over the next 25 years Picasso would create over 3,500 plates, vases, pitchers and other forms. Picasso would work with Madoura Studio until around the time of the artist’s death in 1973.