Bilder Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) – 5.7.59 I – Ink Drawing from the Toros y Toreros

Beskrivning

This bold ink wash drawing dated 5.7.59 I is the first sheet completed by Pablo Picasso on July 5th, 1959, as part of his renowned Toros y Toreros series. The work depicts a solitary mounted picador—his wide-brimmed hat and upright lance forming stark silhouettes against the paper. The rider and horse are rendered in a rapid, gestural style, emphasizing movement, form, and dramatic contrast over anatomical detail.

Executed with expressive spontaneity, the image reflects Picasso’s lifelong fascination with the bullfight as both ritual and spectacle. The powerful brushstrokes echo East Asian calligraphy and evoke the immediacy of the arena. This piece was later reproduced in the 1961 volume Toros y Toreros, published by Cercle d’Art and printed by Mourlot in Paris.

In this series, Picasso reinterprets the corrida not only as cultural symbol but as a psychological theater of life, death, courage, and style. The numbered inscription “I” at top left identifies it as the first of the sequentially dated works from that day.

Artist or Maker:
Pablo Picasso

Dimensions:
25 cm x 20 cm

Medium:
Ink on paper

Date:
5 July 1959



Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.