Ambroise Vollard was one of the most influential figures in modern art in Paris. A publisher, gallerist and collector, he worked with many of the greatest artists of the late 19th and 20th century, Renoir, Cézanne and Gaugin, and later, Picasso. He helped shape his promotion and establishing of the avant-garde artists of his day and of the previous generation. Beyond his work as a gallerist, he wrote artist biographies and encouraged many to take on new and extended projects.
His first exhibition of Picasso’s work took place in 1901, and continued through the 1930s. In 1930, Picasso began work on The Vollard Suite, 100 etchings created over seven years exploring themes of classicism that enthralled Picasso throughout his career. The suite ends with three portraits of Vollard. The printer Roger Lacouriere pulled the impressions.
Learn more about Ambroise Vollard at our exhibition PICASSO – Unique Proofs from His Ateliers at Galerie Michael, May 5 – June 5, 2012.
Portrait of Vollard IV, 1937 Etching and aquatint on Montval laid paper
Portrait of Vollard, II, 1937 Aquatint on Montval laid paper with the Vollard watermark
Portrait of Vollard, III, 1937 Etching on Montval laid paper with the Vollard watermark
Minotaure Aveugle Guidé par une Petite Fille aux Fleurs (Blind Minotaur Guided by a Little Girl with Flowers), 1934 Drypoint etching on Montval laid paper with ‘Picasso’ watermark.
Trois Femmes Nues et une Coupe d’Anémones (Three Women and a Bowl of Anemones), 1933 Etching on Montval paper with Picasso watermark. Pencil signed ‘Picasso’ lower right
Bacchus et Femme Nue Entendue (Bacchus and Reclining Female Nude), 1934 Engraving and drypoint on Montval laid paper with Vollard watermark
Tags: 2012 exhibits, Picasso
