Pablo Picasso created this elegant ceramic masterpiece, “Bouquet à la Pomme” (Bunch with Apple), on January 22, 1956, at the renowned Madoura Pottery workshop in Vallauris, France. This limited-edition round plate stands as one of the finest examples of Picasso’s celebrated ceramic period and remains highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
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About the Artwork
- Year: 1956 (dated 22.1.56 on the reverse)
- Size: 26 × 26 × 2.5 cm (approx. 10 1/5 inches)
- Medium: Unglazed white earthenware clay
- Technique: Hand-pressed relief design on a round plate
The plate features a charming still life composition: a Cubist-inspired vase overflowing with flowers, accompanied by a prominent apple and leafy branch. Picasso masterfully executed the design in delicate raised relief, allowing light and shadow to create depth and sculptural quality on the matte white surface.
Picasso and the Madoura Ceramic Revolution
In 1946, Picasso discovered the Madoura pottery studio during a visit to Vallauris. Fascinated by the medium, he began an extraordinary collaboration that lasted nearly three decades, producing almost 4,000 unique ceramic works. These pieces allowed him to blend his revolutionary artistic vision with traditional Mediterranean craftsmanship.
“Bouquet à la Pomme” perfectly captures the spirit of this period. Using simple, bold lines and abstracted forms, Picasso transformed an everyday object into a vibrant work of art. The unglazed white earthenware gives the piece a pure, tactile quality that highlights the expressive power of the relief.
Artistic Significance
This ceramic plate showcases Picasso’s signature ability to merge everyday subjects with modernist innovation. The composition reflects his lifelong interest in still life while incorporating the playful, spontaneous energy that defines his ceramic oeuvre. The dated signature on the reverse and the limited edition of only 100 pieces make this work particularly desirable for serious collectors and museums.
For Collectors
Picasso’s ceramic plates from the 1950s are among the most accessible yet authentic ways to own an original work by the 20th century’s greatest artist.
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. We strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. The gallery specializes primarily in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. Besides, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.