PICASSO, Pablo
 
Nature Morte, approx. 1942. Published for the esteemed Editions du Chene in 1948.
 
Description
 
The desirable du Chene collection was published during Picasso’s lifetime; and is in very limited numbers, overseen by him thus.
The original oil painting was executed by Picasso during the Occupation of Paris by the Germans.
The changing mood of the time is here reflected in the use of deathly tones.
Though explicit in not painting war itself, Picasso’s situation showed in his work. He was the most targeted of the so-called ‘degenerate’ artists by the occupying Nazis. Thus under continuous surveillance by the Gestapo. While many artists abandoned Paris in 1941, after the arrival of the Germans, Picasso stayed. Then without French citizenship, it was only Picasso’s fame which helped him avoid the ever-present risk of extradition to Franco’s Spain and possible execution. He was an outspoken enemy of Franco after painting Guernica in 1939, and consequently of Hitler and Goebbels, who during this period set about moulding all modern art to the Reich’s taste.
The frame has had work at Parsonage Studios, their crown stamp to verso thus.
Framed glazed with lux. cream matte.
The piece is a one of a kind and measures approx. 20x30cm externally.