Tête (Head)
Drawing / Work on paper • Attributed to Pablo Picasso (Manner of). Note: The signature across the top is a known style used by the artist, though authenticity depends on physical inspection and provenance.
Style & Movement
Cubism / Late Modernism; specifically influenced by Picasso's late period exploration of simplified primitive forms and playful geometry.
Medium & Technique
Crayon, wax pastel, or lithographic crayon on paper. The technique utilizes bold, gestural lines with characteristic waxy texture and overlapping geometric planes.
Creation Period
Circa 1950s—1960s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 9 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A minimalist, abstract human face composed of two overlapping rectangular frames in orange and yellow. The central features consist of a single vertical line for a nose, two blue-rimmed eyes, and radiating lines at the base suggesting a neck or torso.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper shows slight yellowing consistent with age. Lines appear vibrant, though there is potential light-fading in the yellow pigments.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $15,000 (as an unauthenticated work); $150,000+ if fully authenticated by the Claude Picasso Administration.
Auction Estimate
$8,000 - $12,000 (conservative attribution)
Provenance History
Unknown. No visible gallery labels or stamps. Common for these types of works to have circulated through European or Mediterranean private collections.
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the post-war trend toward extreme simplification of the human form. It echoes his work in ceramics and late-life interest in spontaneity over academic detail.
Notable Features
Distinctive top-centered 'Picasso' signature with a bold underline, which is a hallmark of his graphic works. The play of transparency between the two rectangular 'heads' is a classic Cubist motif.
Condition Issues
Evident toning of the paper stock; minor acid burn from non-archival mounting may be present under the frame edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-frame using museum-grade UV-protective glass and acid-free matting. Maintain in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.