Pablo Picasso
Colombe de la Paix, 1961
Signed in pencil
Lithograph
Sheet: 50.5 x 65 cm
From the deluxe edition of 30 on Japan nacré paper, aside from the edition of 200 on Arches
There are certain images that resonate within an artist's oeuvre and echo down the generations. They become peerless icons and come to define our visual culture. Dalí made a legend of the lobster, Warhol had Marilyn, and Picasso...he gave us the Dove of Peace. This week we are thrilled to be able to offer for the first time a fabulously rare example of his ever sought-after homage to harmony.
This lithograph was created to adorn a poster advertising the 1962 Congress for the National Peace Movement in Paris. One of Picasso's most celebrated designs, the image was issued without text in a signed edition of 200 on Arches paper and a deluxe signed edition of only 30 on Japan nacré paper. This deluxe edition hardly ever comes up for sale and this is the first time we've ever been able to acquire one. It only took nine years!
Japan nacré is the glory of Japanese papermaking, with a depth and subtlety that makes the image sing. This print is the last word in luxury and rarity, a fitting testament to one of the most desirable and investible images in art history.
Why is this a good investment?
As a hand-signed edition of only 30 in this format, opportunities to acquire this lithograph are incredibly rare. A desirable image in a tiny edition size, this print would be the jewel in any collection. No portfolio of work by Picasso is complete without it!
The Dove of Peace is arguably the most iconic and globally recognised image from Picasso's entire output, but despite its starring role in 20th century art hand-signed examples are rare. The artist created his first variation on the subject in 1949 when commissioned to design a poster for the International Peace Congress in Paris. He had recently created a lithographic portrait of a pigeon that had been presented to him by Henri Matisse and the image was immediately selected for the conference. He returned to the theme again and again, even naming his daughter Paloma, the Spanish word for 'dove'.
For more information on buying art for investment, please click here.
Any questions? We are happy to help. Call: 0117 279 6402 or send us a message now.
