Pablo Picasso
(1881-1973)
Visage (face of Marie-Thérèse), 1928
Lithograph
From the edition of 25 (H.C. 1/25)
20.4 x 14.2 cm
Frame: 31-3/3 in. x 28-3/8 in.
In November, 1928 André Level, an enthusiastic collector and friend of the artist, published a book titled Picasso, one of the first important monographs on the artist. One signed and numbered lithograph appeared in the book, published by Imprimerie Marchizet, Paris. There are only 25 known hors d’commerce (abbreviated H.C., meaning not for commerce) produced for various uses including display pieces for dealers and galleries. This print is extremely rare and important, numbered 1/25.
This portrait “Visage,” shows the face of Marie-Thérèse Waller, whom Picasso met in Paris in 1927. At the time, she was seventeen years old, nearly thirty years his junior. Of all the women in Picasso’s life, none had inspired Picasso more than this young woman with a Grecian profile and statuesque figure. She was to become not only his lover but one of the most famous muses in all art history.
