PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish Painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. A highly unusual and visually attractive series of seven original images of male lips, painted and signed ('Picasso') by Picasso, with various simple brushstrokes in  tones of brown, and another created in black ink with his fingers, surrounded by a further six female lipstick impressions, most in vibrant shades of pink, one page, 4to, Perpignan, 9^th September 1954, on the printed stationery of Jacques de Lazerme. Picasso's own image of his pouting lips appear prominently on the page, adding his signature (somewhat faded, although legible) above, and to the left appear another pair of lips created by Picasso, to which he has added some ink annotations representing teeth and the title Madame Montpellier. Immediately beneath appear some lips created with black ink using his fingers (the impression of the friction ridges visible) which are identified as belonging to Witty. Each of the other lips are annotated with the names of various individuals including Picasso's eldest child Paulo ('Polo'), Jacques de Lazerme and his wife Paule, Firmin Bauby of the Sant Vicens ceramic workshop, Jeanne de Rochette ('Totote'), the wife of the sculptor Manolo, and their adopted daughter Rosa Jordana ('Rosita') and several others. Dated in Picasso's hand at the base. A wonderful and playful piece of original design created by Picasso and his friends. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise VG

 

Jacques de Lazerme (1909-1986) and his beautiful wife, Paule, played host to Pablo Picasso on several occasions between 1953-55 allowing him access to several spacious rooms within their seventeenth century home so that he could live and work as he felt inclined.

 

The unique set of lip images were undoubtedly created by Picasso and his close circle of friends and family in Perpignan during the course of what must surely have been an entertaining and lively lunch or dinner.