Pablo Picasso

Own a rare original Picasso aquatint, printed by his master printer Aldo Crommelynck. This museum-quality print, from Crommelynck's personal archive, is an astonishing collector’s item.

About the Printer: Aldo Crommelynck, master intaglio printmaker

After displaying a youthful talent as a draughtsman, Crommelynck began an apprenticeship with Roger Lacourière, the master printer who had printed Picasso's Vollard Suite in the 1930s. In 1949, Picasso himself asked Crommelynck to rework one of his engravings, as he had become dissatisfied with Lacourière's work. Aldo's innovative approach delighted the artist, and from that moment on the eighteen year-old became Picasso's preferred printer. In 1953, he established his own print workshop with the help of his brothers Piero and Milan. They moved to the South of France in 1963 to be closer to Picasso, and for the next decade worked almost exclusively on the avalanche of etchings he produced in his final years.

Picasso had initially been won over by Aldo’s remarkable ability to convey the intensity of the painted surface in printed form. More than twenty years after they first met, and only months before his death, Picasso turned to Crommelynck to work the same magic in this image, and the result is spectacular. The texture and radiance of this aquatint are astonishing, and it is rightly regarded as one of the jewels of 20th century printmaking. An exceptional image from the personal archive of the men who made it, this piece has exceptional artistic provenance. Please note, this large format aquatint is significantly bigger than some editions and the colours are exceptionally bold.

Crommelynck’s Legacy in Fine Art Printmaking

Following Picasso's death in 1973, Aldo moved back to Paris, where he was sought out by artists such as Richard Hamilton, David Hockney and Jim Dine. In 1985, Aldo moved to the United States and opened a workshop in New York, where he enjoyed great success. George Condo, Jean Michel-Basquiat and Yoko Ono all flocked to his side to learn intaglio printing from the Master. He was awarded the Grand Prix National des Métiers d'Art in 1989.

A Unique Opportunity for Collectors of Picasso

To be able to lay claim to an artwork with such illustrious provenance and such an intimate connection to the artists who created it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This stunning 20th century master print is truly a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition.

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