Tête de chèvre (Goat's Head)
Original Color Linocut on paper • Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973)
Style & Movement
Modernism / Post-War European Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Linocut (linoleum cut printing) using two or more colors (blue and brown/black), potentially with plate-tone or hand-rubbing effects.
Creation Period
Circa 1952
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15 cm x 20 cm (image size), presented in landscape format within a larger frame.
Subject Description
A simplified, zoomorphic composition featuring a goat's head and floral or bird-like motifs rendered in fluid, calligraphic black line work. The subject is set against a bi-partite background consisting of a textured blue upper register and a solid earth-toned lower register.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible light reflection suggests glass is not non-reflective, but the paper appears stable.
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $7,000 (depending on edition status and plate size)
Auction Estimate
$2,500 - $5,000
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a French or American gallery specializing in mid-century prints; multiple variations of this linocut exist from the Vallauris period.
Art Historical Significance
Representing Picasso's prolific output in Vallauris, this work demonstrates his mastery of the linocut medium, which he revolutionized in the late 1940s and 50s by simplifying the relief process to capture more spontaneous line work.
Notable Features
Features the signature calligraphic style of Picasso's faun and animal motifs from the mid-1950s; the contrast between the wash-like texture of the blue ink and the flat brown is characteristic of his experimental printing.
Condition Issues
Possible minor tonal yellowing of the paper visible near the mat edge; slight undulation of the paper under the mount.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of acid-free matting and UV-protective glazing; maintain in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.