This original 1980 exhibition poster, created after Pablo Picasso’s Paul en Pierrot, was produced for the major retrospective held at the Grand Palais in Paris from October 1979 to January 1980. It beautifully captures one of the most touching and intimate images from Picasso’s early career.
The composition features a young child—Picasso’s son Paul—dressed in the traditional Pierrot costume, a figure drawn from the Commedia dell’arte. The oversized white outfit, soft ruffled collar, and dark hat contrast delicately with the warm tones of the background, creating a striking yet gentle visual presence. The child’s stance—slightly awkward, almost hesitant—adds a deeply human dimension, far removed from theatrical exaggeration.
This work belongs to Picasso’s early figurative explorations, where themes of childhood, performance, and identity intertwine. The Pierrot figure, often associated with melancholy and introspection, becomes here a symbol of innocence and quiet emotion. The softness of the palette and the simplicity of the composition reflect a moment of calm in Picasso’s otherwise revolutionary artistic journey.
The poster itself is elegantly designed, allowing the image to dominate while maintaining clear, modern typography. The mention of “Œuvres reçues en paiement des droits de succession” refers to the historic context of the exhibition, which showcased works transferred to the French state in lieu of inheritance taxes—forming the foundation of the Musée Picasso in Paris.
Printed in 1980, this poster stands as both a tribute to Picasso’s legacy and a significant document of one of the most important exhibitions of his work in France. Its refined aesthetic and emotional resonance make it highly desirable for collectors of modern art, exhibition posters, and Picasso-related material.
A timeless and poetic piece, Paul en Pierrot continues to embody the delicate balance between childhood innocence and artistic sophistication.
Original Poster
Exhibition - Childhood
Works received in payment of inheritance tax - Grand Palais
Printed by Imprimerie moderne du lion
Good condition
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