Picasso attracted and repelled by Abstraction

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

In 1914-1915, they do not laugh in Picasso's home. It's War, moreover his girlfriend is critically ill. His so clear art of previous years is a memory. He produces dark paintings, where only the title remains figurative.

This is the case of these "Instruments de musique sur un guéridon" (Musical instruments on a pedestal), where even the experts from Christie's who expect € 25 million are unable to agree on the nature of the instruments and the position of the furniture.

This oil and sand on canvas, 129 x 89 cm, resembles a stack of paper sheets, some of which would be transparent. The balance of the composition is reminiscent of earlier works of Malevich.

Before I knew it, I had already given the secret of this work in this Group, in my article on the remarkable Gris painting sold $ 21 million charge included in Christie's in New York on November 6. After being inspired with collages for a short period that corresponds exactly to the date of our Picasso, both artists come forward to a style that will allow them to display a three-dimensional illusion again.

This work is the top one of the outstanding sale of this semester: the Yves Saint-Laurent collection, which will be dispersed in Paris by Christie's and Pierre Bergé from 23 to 25 February. The expected price, if obtained, will include this painting among the ten most expensive Picasso's sold at auction ... and the only of them to match this style of transition.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Start with Picasso. In this highly successful historic sale, the Picasso was not sold. I indicated that I had found in the databases no work of Picasso in this style at this price.

Interviewed after the sale, Mr. Bergé is happy to keep this painting. This may explain it!