Art Print / Picasso / Limited Edition / The Joy of Life, 1946 / 98 x 67 cm

This work, which appears to be a parody of Henri Matisse's famous work Bonheur de Vivre (1905-06), is often understood as a celebration of peace. Henri Matisse's lyrical work depicts nude girls dancing and playing the fife in an idyllic setting, while long, sensual, sinuous lines flow through the composition. Picasso's copy is obviously more mythological, with pipe-playing fauns and dancing creatures. Nonetheless, he captures Matisse's poetry in the extended swirling lines of the figures, whose forms seem to grow organically like flowers stretching toward the Mediterranean sun.

Picasso had finally returned to his favorite French Riviera to enjoy freedom from occupation and a budding relationship with a young French artist, Francoise Gilot, whom he painted as a flower in 1946. She is possibly the model for the central creature of this work with his long, flowing hair. The couple visited Matisse in Nice - it was probably Matisse's desire to paint Francoise with green hair that prompted Picasso to copy his rival's earlier work with this 120 x 250 cm oil painting on fibreboard.

Picasso, 65 years old and at an age when most people retire, was once again in love with a very young woman and full of creative zeal. Francoise, 25, discovered she was pregnant shortly after completing this work.

Image format: 92 x 42.5 cm
Sheet format: 98 x 67 cm

5-color frequency modulated print on 260g Rives handmade paper
Limited edition: 1,000 copies

Without a frame - the picture will be delivered in a sturdy cardboard sleeve.

© Musée Picasso Antibes
Photo: © Francois Fernandez
© Succession Picasso, Paris 2017