Picasso Tetes (Heads), 1956 is a playful pitcher which sheds shed light on Picasso’s subtle sense of humor and charm. Two curious fauns gaze out at us from this marvelous pitcher, their expressions a mixture of surprise and joy. The artist outlines their faces in black, with their eyes appearing wide and curious. Their horns curve and point upwards, adding to their animal quality. The artist’s affinity for these mythological creatures can be attributed to the fact they represent drinking and celebration, two activities Picasso was fond of. Fauns and satyrs frequently appear throughout Picasso’s body of work, from paintings to ceramics and even sculpture. Perhaps they represent to the artist a link to the classical beginnings of pottery in Ancient Greece. To that end, the pitcher is petite, yet filled with character. Picasso adds decorative touches such as the black dots along the top of the pitcher and the handle. Additionally, a leaf-like figure on the side divides the two faces. The pitcher’s simplicity is part of its artistic value as it maintains an air of spontaneity. Viewers can easily imagine the master quickly creating these marvelous faces as soon as the inspiration struck. Even with a quick look at the pitcher, viewers will recognize it as a quintessential Picasso work.
Created in 1956, this Madoura turned pitcher of white earthenware clay with oxidized paraffin decoration (black) and white enamel is stamped with the ‘MADOURA PLEIN FEU’ and ‘EDITION PICASSO’ pottery stamps on the bottom. From the edition of 500.
