Le Crapaud (The Toad)
Print - Original Lithograph on Wove Paper • Pablo Picasso
Style & Movement
Cubism / Post-War Modernism
Medium & Technique
Lithograph (crayon and wash) using the lithographic tusche technique to create textured, wash-like effects and splattered textures.
Creation Period
January 13, 1949 (Dated 13.1.49 in the stone and lower right)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 49.5 x 64 cm (19.5 x 25.2 in); Landscape format.
Subject Description
A zoomed-in, stylized depiction of a toad filling the frame. The composition uses geometric simplification combined with organic, stippled textures to represent the amphibian's skin. The form is built through contrast between dense black negative space and the textured body of the toad.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; appears to be a well-preserved impression with strong blacks and crisp margins visible within the frame.
Estimated Market Value
$60,000 - $90,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$50,000 - $80,000 USD
Provenance History
Originally printed by Mourlot Frères, Paris. This specific image likely transitioned from a private collection or gallery inventory (evidence of professional framing and gallery display conditions).
Art Historical Significance
This work is one of Picasso's most famous lithographs, created during his prolific period at the Mourlot studio. It demonstrates his mastery of the medium, specifically how he manipulated lithographic ink to mimic watercolor washes. It reflects his lifelong interest in animalier subjects and his ability to find monumental form in mundane creatures.
Notable Features
Includes the artist's signature and date in the stone (reversed/mirrored '13.1.49') and a secondary hand-written notation/signature in the lower right corner.
Condition Issues
None clearly visible in photo; potential for Minor light-toning or soft handling creases at the sheet edges typical of prints of this age.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in UV-filtering glass; ensure acid-free archival mounting and maintain a stable environment (50% RH) to prevent foxing or waving of the paper.