Pablo Picasso: 25 years of edition ceramics, from the Rosenbaum Collection

The exhibition PABLO PICASSO: 25 YEARS OF EDITION CERAMICS From the Rosenbaum Collection features 40 ceramic works – plates, vases and pitchers, including 2 original ceramic works by Picasso, plus original posters from previous exhibitions and photomurals of Picasso at work at the Madoura pottery.

The exhibition presents a selection of the ceramics created by Pablo Picasso in collaboration with George and Suzanne Ramie and the artisans at their Madoura pottery workshop in Vallauris, Southern France, between the years 1947 and 1971.

Internationally famed for his paintings, sculpture, and graphics, Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was long intrigued by ceramics. After seeing the works of the Madoura potters at a crafts fair in 1946, he asked Georges and Suzanne Ramie, who operated the studio, to provide him with the opportunity to work with ceramics.

From 1947 to 1971 the Ramies set aside space in their studio for Picasso to pot whenever he pleased. In return, Picasso allowed the Ramies to make and sell editions of ceramic pieces he produced at Madoura, and to retain all profits. Picasso personally made thousands of individual ceramic pieces. He kept virtually all of his own thrown pieces, most of which are now owned by his family or by museums.

Over the years Picasso and the Madoura studio produced 633 different plates, bowls, vases and pitchers, in limited editions ranging from 25 to 500. Picasso’s involvement in producing the objects varied. Sometimes he made the clay molds used for designs, while other times he painted on plates or pitchers taken from the drying racks. Picasso and Madoura’s artisans then finished the prototypes and produced the editions.

The exhibition features an essay and chronology of Picasso by Gerald Nordland, noted author and independent curator, and former Director of the San Francisco Art Museum, The Milwaukee Art Museum, The Wight Gallery, UCLA, and the Washington (D.C.) Gallery of Modern Art.

Landau Traveling Exhibitions of Los Angeles, CA, organized the exhibition and manages the museum tour. Over the past 30 years Landau Travelling Exhibitions has presented more than 500 fine art and architecture exhibitions at museums and universities throughout the world.