Picasso prints the Frugal Meal

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The "Blue Period" of Picasso lasts from 1901 to 1904. The subjects are inspired by scenes of the show, the characters live their poverty with dignity, an expressive and precise line reminds us that Edvard Munch produced masterpieces a few years earlier.

I do not know if the work of the Norwegian master inspired Picasso. In any case, only aged 23 in 1904, Picasso prepared and had edited the series of the "Saltimbanques" (Acrobats), a wonderful synthesis that closes the blue period.

"Le Repas Frugal" (the Frugal Meal) is the first work of this series. It shows a frightfully thin couple. The man is blind. The meal is finished, but the characters are still hungry. They expect nothing. A silvery print of the original edition was sold 620 K£ including fees at Christie's on November 30, 2004.

In 1901, in Paris, Vollard was the discoverer of Picasso. In 1913, he bought the plates of the Saltimbanques. An etching and drypoint, 46 x 38 cm, from the Vollard edition of 250 copies is estimated 80 K$ by Swann Auction Galleries in New York on September 24.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Sold K $ 108 premium included. This result is unsurprising, as often with multiples, but it's good.