Portrait de Vollard II (Portrait of Ambroise Vollard II)
Print on paper (Etching, aquatint, and drypoint) • Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973)
Style & Movement
Modernism / Surrealist period (Vollard Suite era)
Medium & Technique
Sugar-lift aquatint and etching; a technique used to create painterly, tonal effects resembling wash drawings
Creation Period
circa 1937
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 35 x 25 cm (plate size) in a vertical portrait format, typically printed on Montval laid paper with a large margin.
Subject Description
A portrait of the legendary art dealer Ambroise Vollard. The composition features a front-facing, slightly angled view of Vollard with his characteristic heavy brow and beard, rendered with expressive, atmospheric tonal contrasts that convey a sense of gravitas and interiority.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good - the image appears crisp with deep blacks; however, there is a visible red signature in the lower margin which requires authentication as it differs from the standard graphite signatures on the Suite Vollard.
Estimated Market Value
$25,000 - $45,000 USD (subject to authentication of the signature/edition balance)
Auction Estimate
$20,000 - $40,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely originally part of the 250 signed and numbered sets (or 50 with large margins) commissioned by Vollard. This specific piece would have passed through private collections or galleries specializing in Picasso's graphic works.
Art Historical Significance
One of three portraits of Vollard created for the 'Vollard Suite,' a series of 100 etchings and the most celebrated print cycle of the 20th century. It documents the relationship between the premier dealer of the avant-garde and the era's most influential artist.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the painterly use of sugar-lift aquatint which gives the portrait a psychological depth not found in the more linear works of the same series. Features a red pencil signature which is highly distinctive for this specific impression.
Condition Issues
Possible minor light-toning of the paper and slight undulation due to framing pressure. The red signature is an unusual feature compared to standard editions and should be examined for authenticity or as a possible dedicated artist's proof.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep framed behind UV-protective glass and use acid-free archival mounting. Maintain stable humidity levels to prevent foxing or paper warping.