1940's Picasso "Les Amoureux" "Lovers" PROV Dr Jonas Salk, Francoise Gilot print

Description: 1940's Picasso "Les Amoureux" "Lovers" Provenance Dr Jonas Salk, Francoise Gilot. Print of Black Chinese Ink 1940's- Claude, Paloma Picasso This is a very rare and unusual item for a true Picasso aficionado. I found this at a house clear out in Los Angeles July 2022. The house, at one time, was the home of one of Dr. Jonas Salk's grandsons.This is a silkscreen of the pre drawing of Les Amoureux - "Lovers". It is featured in the only catalog raisonne of Picasso by Christian Zervos who was a friend and patron of Picasso. This particular drawing is featured in 2 of the volumes. The one I have provided photos for is Volume #5 plate #165. It is also in Volume #6 Supplement plate #1391. The ownership attributed to both is noted art dealer Jacque Seligman who passed away in 1923. I have more photos of the other plate.When I found this it was in a very old plain black painted frame (there is a photo in the listing of how I found it). It was removed from the frame and originally shown to the head paper restorer at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino CA. She believed, at first, it was a brush and black ink due to the quality of the work. There was also the factor of its age and what was noted on the reverse. The work is mounted on cardboard. On the back is the name, telephone number and Pittsburgh address of Dr. Jonas Salk. Of coarse Dr Salk went on to marry Francoise Gilot who was Picasso's former muse, lover and mother to two of his children - Claude and Paloma Picasso. I sent the necessary items to Picasso Authentication in Paris. Mr Claude Picasso did say this was not the original but a copy of Les Amoureux pre drawing in Zervos. He did not indicate who owned it now but said it was in a "private collection". There is some confusion as to what happened to Seligman's collection as he died prior to WW2. The gallery and his personal collection seemed to have been lost track of. Some without much provenance in the present day.Because there was still confusion regarding what Claude Picasso said in his letter and what the restorer at the Huntington believed further research was done in the Zervos Catalog. And, eventually, it was looked at by a specialist at Bonham's in Los Angeles. She confirmed it is a silkscreen.There is no way to determine where this was done. The "guess" is it was most likely from a gallery showing. It could be as early as the late 1940's up to the early 1960's (Dr Salk relocated to Southern CA in 1963 - Francoise Gilot still lives here). What we do know is it has age on it. As well as basing it on the address and phone number on the back for Dr Salk (it actually is first written in pencil as Mr. Salk - which is crossed out and corrected with "Dr").I don't know if Dr Salk was a major Picasso fan but it may have been what drew him to meet, and eventually marry, Picasso's former lover Francoise. This simple piece may have lived with them during his lifetime. It may have been the inspiration for their love or a piece that Francoise always admired. The connection to a major part of Picasso's life and children is embedded here in a very magical way.This is also a rare image that was never made into a print by Picasso. It is in lovely condition but does have toning due to age. It has been taken out of the old frame and will come to the new owner as the print on board only.I have many more photos to share, the letter from Picasso Authentication and can provide the names of the specialist at Bonham's I spoke to as well as the head paper restorer at the Huntington. I can also provide the address where the picture was originally procured. I cannot post any of this here in a public forum due to privacy issues. My hope is this will go to someone who is a true Picasso admirer who collects things that are connected to the man as well as his art. The piece is 20 inches tall by 16 inches wide. It is sold as is. I am also open to fair offers. Feel free to reach out with any questions. My goal is to represent this piece in its entirety with transparency. Thank You for being interested!

Price: 2339 USD

Location: Los Angeles, California

End Time: 2024-04-14T20:07:38.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD