Goat’s head in profile, round/square dish
(1952)
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
4.9 × 40.5 × 40.6 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by John and Cecily Adams, 2020
© Sucession Picasso/Copyright Agency
Gallery location
Late 19th & early 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Animals occur frequently throughout Picasso’s ceramic repertoire and one of his favourite motifs was the goat, its profile head featuring on several of his ceramic works during the early years, at around the time when he owned his pet goat, Esmerelda. The goat may have had ancient mythological associations for Picasso, but it may also have attracted him, like the bull, for its daring boldness and independence of character. Whatever Picasso’s interest, his depictions of animals are always executed with freshness and spontaneity and never burdened by excessive interpretation.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Vallauris, France
Edition
ed. 86/100
Inscription
painted in black on base c.: 86/100
impressed in base c.: MADOURA / (fire) / PLEIN / FEU
impressed in base c.: EMPREINTE / ORIGINALE DE / PICASSO
Accession Number
2020.724
Department
International Decorative Arts