My Children at Play (Els meus fills jugant / Mis hijos jugando / Mes enfants en train de jouer)
Painting on panel • Françoise Gilot (French, 1921–2023)
Style & Movement
Mid-century Modern / School of Paris influence. The work exhibits a blend of Cubist structural influence and Fauvist color sensibilities, characteristic of Gilot's style after her period with Picasso.
Medium & Technique
Oil on plywood; technique involves heavy impasto with visible palette knife work and thick brushstrokes, utilizing bold primary colors and black contouring.
Creation Period
1952
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 60 cm; Rectangular landscape format.
Subject Description
A domestic scene featuring the artist's children (Claude and Paloma Picasso) playing with a ball in front of a yellow villa-style house. The composition includes a prominent stylized tree and a landscape background of hills. The windows of the house feature geometric patterns reminiscent of Mondrian.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good/Excellent. The paint film appears stable with vibrant pigment retention. The plywood support appears flat without significant warping.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $300,000 USD, reflecting the increased market demand for Gilot's early 1950s works.
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $200,000 USD
Provenance History
As indicated by the exhibition label, 'Col·lecció particular' (Private Collection). Likely held in the artist's estate or a private Spanish/Catalan collection given the museum wall text in Catalan.
Art Historical Significance
A significant piece from a pivotal year (1952) when Gilot was transitioning away from her relationship with Pablo Picasso to establish her own independent artistic identity. It documents her family life through a sophisticated modernist lens.
Notable Features
The use of a painted yellow border integrated into the composition; the Mondrian-esque window pane; the heavy impasto used in the sky and the tree canopy.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and very slight drying cracks (craquelure) typical of mid-century oil on panel works. No major losses or visible restorations are evident in the photograph.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) to prevent panel movement; utilize UV-filtering glass and avoid direct sunlight to protect the bright yellow pigments from fading.