Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)
Antonio Machado
1955
Offset lithograph on paper
Signed in pencil lower right
23 x 15 in (sight) / 58,4 x 38,1 cm
Framed: 31 x 22.5 in / 78,7 x 57,2 cm

Provenance:
Private Collection, France
By descent to current owner

This portrait is Picasso’s homage to Spanish poet and one of the leading figures of the Spanish literary movement known as the Generation of '98, Antonio Machado. Machado’s later work revolved around the violence of the The Spanish Civil War, both critiquing the apathy of the fascist faction’s violence and edifying the beauty of Catalan country and its people. Machado died shortly after fleeing Catalan in the face of Franco’s impending troops.

Picasso created many pieces with subjects that were based in The Spanish Civil War, including Guernica, which would prove to be one of his most famous and enduring works. In this regard, the portrait of Machado, who died fleeing the war, is in line with much of his other anti-war subjects.

Condition/Comment: Crease across paper near bottom; crimp top edge middle

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