The current exhibition in London highlights over 80 works by legendary artist Pablo Picasso, including a key piece entitled ‘Le repas frugal’, an etching that marks one of Picasso’s first forays into the world of printmaking during his Blue Period in Paris (1901-1904), which continued until 1971, just two years before his death.
Dubbed ‘Le repas frugal’, this etching represents one of the first prints Pablo Picasso created in Paris during his Blue Period, spanning 1901 to 1904.
Although Picasso is best known for his paintings, he was also a prolific printmaker, producing around 2,400 prints throughout his career.
Among the works on display are prints from the Vollard Suite, created between 1930 and 1937, including the notable piece ‘Fauve découverteant une femme’ (1936).
Catherine Daunt, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Prints at the British Museum, explains: “We have the very first print he made as a professional artist in 1904, called ‘Le repas frugal’. It is an extraordinary piece, and it is hard to believe that it was his first foray into printmaking, especially considering that he had no formal training in the medium.”
She adds: “Behind me is ‘Nature morte sous la lampe’, one of his remarkable linocut masterpieces.”
Picasso experimented with a variety of techniques, including intaglio prints, lithographs and linocuts, often collaborating with expert printers.
Daunt explains that his printmaking skills evolved considerably throughout his career, as he adopted new techniques and ideas.
“Our aim was to present the best examples from each major period of his printmaking, telling the story of his artistic development, highlighting different styles and exploring themes that he was passionate about, such as the circus, bullfighting and his personal relationships,” Daunt says.
In 1968, at the age of 86, Picasso created an astonishing 347 prints in less than seven months.
In 2014, the British Museum acquired Suite 347, presenting the largest collection of prints from this ensemble ever exhibited.
“Pablo Picasso is undoubtedly one of the most famous artists in history, and this exhibition offers a new perspective, as many people associate him primarily with his paintings, particularly his Cubist works. You can see his early work, which is quite figurative. Then you notice his exploration of printmaking. This highlights his nature as a cultural collector, constantly experimenting and looking for new ideas. The exhibition captures this evolution beautifully,” says art critic Tabish Khan.
The exhibition ‘Picasso: Master of the Print’ is on view at the British Museum until 30 March 2025.