Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Pigeon brooding , c. 1947, terracotta dish with engraved lines, unique piece, stamped Madoura Plein Feu , 32x38 cm Notice of inclusion in the archives of the Picasso Committee, Paris, under no. 0066, 17.10.2024. The work is listed in the inventory of the Picasso Estate, no. 57230. Provenance: Collection of an art lover close to the Picasso heirs, donated by the Picasso Estate and remained in the family to this day. Bottom centre, large vertical firing crack weakening the dish (approx. 7.5 cm) Ceramics by Pablo Picasso This collection of ceramics represents an exceptionally important group of Picasso's ceramics. They are unique pieces, entirely modelled, decorated and painted by Picasso himself, unlike the more common production, which consists of multiples made by the Madoura studio from a model by the artist and under his supervision. What's more, they come directly from the Picasso estate, and were offered to the family of the current owner, never having been unveiled on the market. In 1946, Picasso began working with the Madoura studio in Vallauris, marking a turning point in his artistic career. A veritable field of experimentation, he turned away from the traditional forms of painting and sculpture to test the possibilities of the ceramic medium. He explored clay as a sculptural material and pottery as a field for artistic innovation, transforming utilitarian objects into genuine works of art. These ceramics cover a period of intense creativity between 1947 and 1963, when the artist confronted emblematic motifs in his work: the pigeon, the goat, the bull, and human figures, often reduced to geometric or abstract forms. These themes are expressed through a palette of bright, contrasting colours, applied directly to the surface of the pieces in slip or enamel, and sometimes engraved to accentuate their expressiveness. Collection of a lover close to the Picasso heirs Piguet is honoured to be able to offer you remarkable works of exceptional provenance. Lots 37 to 51 and 2932 to 2934 marked in blue in the printed catalogue come from the collection of an art lover who had privileged contacts with some of Pablo Picasso's heirs. As a token of friendship and gratitude, they offered him the two drawings and 7 ceramics by their father that are included in this catalogue. These unique and unpublished works have remained in the family by descent to this day. All these lots can be found on our website Piguet.com and in the e-catalogue dedicated to this collection.