This image was produced on 28th November 1957 and is a proof of the red plate for the lithograph catalogued as Mourlot 304. This print went through three states, ending up in the final published version printed in three colours: red, green and black. Mourlot's catalogue includes entries for states 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a & 3b. The catalogue does not include a reference to an edition of fifty for the state proofs, but there was an edition of fifty for the final published version (State 3b).

Miguel Orozco's catalogue mentions the signed and numbered edition of fifty. Orozco describes this image as state 2a, or second state red. He goes on to say that Picasso was not satisfied, and on Friday 13th December returned to the green and red plates. The red one was ultimately reworked and completed with a lithographic pencil and scraper, producing a second state of red (R. 718). The green one is also reworked with a lithographic pencil, reaching a second state (R. 720). At this point, instead of returning the plates to the printer Mourlot, Picasso put them away in a corner of his studio and did not return to them for more than three years.

On 6th March 1961, Picasso found the two lithographic plates and completed the image by adding a third layer in black on lithographic paper, which he sent to the printer along with the green and red plates. Conscientiously, Mourlot sent (or probably personally delivered) a whole series of proofs to Picasso on 21st April in order to obtain the artist's definitive approval for this lithograph that had caused so much work. First of all, he provided a proof of the second red state that Picasso had not yet seen. He also brought another proof of that same red plate but printed in black (R. 719). He included a proof of the second green state and another of that same plate printed in black on a grey background (R. 721). Mourlot also provided a proof of the new black plate drawn on 6th March. Finally, he brought a three-colour proof printed with the three plates of the second red and green states, plus black. This was used to make a signed and numbered edition. It is unusual to make an edition from a stage proof from a unique colour but this is exactly what was done in this instance. A signed and numbered edition of fifty copies was created.

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