Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) - Picador

PABLO PICASSO (SPANISH, 1881–1973)

Picador (Mounted Picador), 1962

Medium: Linocut printed in colors (ochre, brown, and black) on wove paper
Sheet Size: Approx. 12.5 x 10 inches (31.75 x 25.4 cm)
Publisher: Editions Cercle d'Art, Paris / Wilhelm Boeck, 1962
Condition: Near mint condition, with full margins. Vibrant, rich pigments with no fading or color loss. (Plate number '39' printed in the lower-left margin).

"An exceptional testament to Picasso's late-career graphic genius and his lifelong obsession with the spiritual drama of the Spanish corrida."
Executed in 1962, Picador captures the electric tension of the bullfight, a theme deeply rooted in Picasso’s Spanish heritage. In this striking composition, Picasso distills the narrative into a bold, near-abstract arrangement of flattened forms and expressive geometry. The mounted picador dominates the visual field with a totemic, commanding presence, set against a rich, earthy background.
The late 1950s and early 1960s marked a period of intense technical innovation for Picasso in the medium of printmaking. Working closely with the master printer Hidalgo Arnéra in Vallauris, Picasso revolutionized the linocut by introducing his famous 'reduction' method—progressively carving and printing multiple colors from a single linoleum block. This process required extraordinary foresight, as each successive cut permanently altered the block, making it impossible to replicate the earlier stages.
This specific print exhibits remarkable clarity, stark graphic contrast, and beautifully layered color dynamics. The raw, visible textures of the carved lines offer a tactile immediacy, bridging centuries-old cultural rituals with a definitive modernist visual language. Published in 1962 by Editions Cercle d'Art, Paris, this work represents an incredibly accessible opportunity for discerning collectors to acquire an authentic, lifetime-pressed graphic masterpiece by the 20th century's most influential artist.