Femme au corsage à fleurs (Woman in a Flowered Bodice)
Lithograph on paper • Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973)
Style & Movement
Late Cubism / Synthetist Abstraction; reflecting his post-war experimentation with simplified forms and domestic portraiture.
Medium & Technique
Color lithography printed from multiple stones; utilizing bold contour lines, flat color planes, and stylized floral motifs characteristic of late-period printmaking.
Creation Period
1949 (dated April 1949 in plate)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 65 x 50 cm; Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A stylized portrait of Françoise Gilot, the artist's muse and partner. She is depicted with a green and yellow face, surrounded by red floral Orphist-style patterns. The composition combines frontal and profile viewpoints, a hallmark of Picasso's facial deconstruction.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good / Good; colors remain vibrant, though there is visible light-toning to the paper and slight ripples consistent with aging under glass.
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 USD (depending on edition numbering and signature status)
Auction Estimate
$12,000 - $18,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of an edition printed by Mourlot Frères, Paris. Ownership history typically involves major print galleries or private collectors following the original 1949-1950 distribution.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Picasso's lithographic work from his time at the Mourlot studio. It represents his transition into a more decorative and harmonious aesthetic inspired by his life with Françoise Gilot in Vallauris.
Notable Features
Features the inverted plate date '1.4.49' in the upper left corner. The use of vibrant primary colors (red, yellow) against a secondary purple background highlights Picasso's interest in color theory during this period.
Condition Issues
Possible light-staining or acid migration from non-archival backing; faint horizontal waviness in paper; minor edge wear obscured by frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional removal from current frame to inspect for hidden tape/acidic backing; reframing with UV-protective glass and acid-free archival matting. Maintain in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.