Pablo Picasso/ Salinas "Portrait Imaginaire" Lithograph Start Price USD 8,500.00 Current Price USD 8,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, September 19, 2008 End Time Sunday, October 19, 2008 Location Midwest See more about 'Pablo Picasso/ Salinas "Portrait Imaginaire" Lithograph' Description In early 1969, art supplies arrived at Picasso's studio in Mougins on the French Riviera.  Large panels of cardboard and heavy paper had been used to ship the supplies.  The supplies were uncrated and the boxes and other shipping materials were set aside against a wall in Picasso's studio.  Rather than seeing large pieces of cardboard, Picasso saw 29 canvases awaiting his brush and at the age of 87 he created 29 portraits which would come to be known as the Portraits Imaginaire or Imaginary Portraits.  Each portrait was in gouache with simple and brilliant colors.  Under Picasso's personal supervision, and with the expertise of one of France's leading lithographers, Marcel Salinas, lithographs were created in the image of the 29 original Portraits Imaginaire.  Proofs of the lithographs were submitted to Picasso who corrected them and noted his "bon a tirer" (meaning they were "good to print").  It took a year to create the lithographs.  Upon completion, the plates were destroyed.  Each print is hand numbered and carries, in the plate, the signature of Picasso as it appears on the orginal gouache.  Picasso did not hand sign any of the Portraits Imaginaire lithographs. Two editions of the lithographs exist.  The "A" edition and the "F" edition.  Each edition consists of 250 lithographs and each piece is numbered 1-250.  The "F" edition was reserved for the people of France, while the "A" edition was reserved for the Americas.  The piece shown here is from the "F" edition.  The date refers to the date the original painting was completed.  The original painting was completed of this image on March 26, 1969.  The work is in excellent condition. There are no blemishes or issues with the lithograph.  The piece is being auctioned unframed.   The piece measures 25 1/2 inches x 19 3/4 inches.  The official stamp is on the lower left hand corner of this work and can be seen in the photographs.   Certificates of authenticity accompany this work.  ModernMasters guarantees authenticity of this work to the original purchaser for 1 year from the date of purchase.  This authenticity guarantee covers the purchase price of the piece plus the shipping paid.  Please note that the insurance required to ship this piece is covered as a courtesy to the winning bidder.  Please contact us with any questions. Check out more Portraits Imaginaire and other items in our store!          Place a Bid!