Sotheby’s announces Picasso in Private, a sale on 5 February 2016 that offers a rare and exciting opportunity to acquire works on paper, ceramics and terracotta sculpture by Pablo Picasso that remained in the artist’s studio throughout his lifetime, and which will now be offered from the collection of his granddaughter Marina Picasso. Highlights from the collection will first be unveiled in Sotheby’s New York Galleries from 13 -17 January, followed by the exhibition of the collection in its entirety at Sotheby’s London from 28 January until 4 February.

“This wonderful collection presents an intimate view of the artist in his moments of creation, as though we are standing at Picasso’s shoulder, able to observe his creative process as he reinvented himself as an artist over and over again. Picasso’s drawings and unique ceramics allow one to get right up close to the artist at the very genesis of the development of many of his core elemental themes.” ---Helena Newman, Co-Head of Impressionist & Modern Art Worldwide.

A masterful overview of Picasso’s career in its entirety, spanning every decade of his oeuvre and encompassing each of the artist’s genres, the collection of 187 works includes 70 ceramics and terracotta sculptures and 106 works on paper. With estimates ranging from £4,000 to £180,000, the sale is expected to fetch a combined total of £6.9–9.8 million / $10.5–14.8 million.

This stand-alone sale will be held the morning of 5 February 2016 in London, following Sotheby’s Impressionist, Modern & Surrealist Art Evening and Day sales on 3 and 4 February.

WORKS ON PAPER

Picasso’s skills as a draughtsman are exhibited to outstanding effect within the works on paper presented in this collection. The sheer variety of subject matter and style is astonishing, ranging in date from the last years of the nineteenth century to the final decade of Picasso’s life. Early studies are juxtaposed with the angular beauty and ground-breaking geometric planes of the Cubist period, whilst traditional landscape and portrait studies contrast with the bold lines and vibrant energy of the later drawings.

• Pablo Picasso, Chevalier picador dans l'arène, pen and ink on paper. Executed on 5th March 1951. Estimate: £120,000-180,000 / $179,000-269,000

• Pablo Picasso, Nature morte au violon, pen and ink and charcoal on paper. Executed in 1912. Estimate: £80,000-120,000 / $122,000-183,000

• Pablo Picasso, Nature morte aux fruits, collage and charcoal on paper. Executed on 18th November 1945. £100,000-150,000 / $152,228-228,000

• Pablo Picasso, Visage de femme, pen on paper cut-out. Executed on 30 November 1962. Estimate: £180,000-250,000 / $269,000-373,000

CERAMICS & SCULPTURE

Following the success of Sotheby’s 100% sold ‘white-glove’ auction Picasso Earth & Fire: Unique Ceramics from the Collection of Marina Picasso in London in June 2015, we are delighted to offer a further selection of unique ceramics in Picasso in Private. Works from every stage of Picasso’s production - from the earliest pioneering works of 1947-48 to mature examples from the 1960s are included. A variety of distinctive forms are represented, including brightly decorative plates and magnificently curved and shaped vases, as well as small sculptures moulded into fantastical human and animal forms.

• Pablo Picasso Femme debout plaster Executed in 1945, this work is unique. Estimate: £50,000-70,000 / $74,500-105,000

• Pablo Picasso, Femme à la robe entrouverte painted ceramic; tall jug. Executed circa 1955 this work is unique. Estimate: £35,000-45,000 / $52,500-67,500

Pablo Picasso Visage, masque, soleil painted and partially glazed ceramic, plat espagnol Executed on 15th May 1957, this work is unique Estimate: £50,000-70,000 / $74,500-105,000