The Monkey

Picasso, Pablo

The Monkey, 1936

Original etching, aquatint and drypoint

Pablo Picasso — The Monkey (1936). Original etching with aquatint and drypoint (Plate 12 from the Eaux-fortes originales for Buffon). Very fine and rare proof on Montval vellum, signed in red pencil (Montval impressions of this plate are scarce: Ferri cites ~30 on Montval); catalog references Bloch 339; Baer 586; Cramer 37. Exceptional state proof with strong bite and in-ink colour nuance.

Image size: 41.8" x 31.8"

Literature: Bloch 339; Baer 586; Cramer 37

Description: Pablo Picasso’s “The Monkey” (1936) stands as a compelling testament to the artist’s mastery of line and texture. Executed in etching, aquatint, and drypoint, this rare proof—drawn from the celebrated Eaux-fortes originales for Buffon—captures the expressive vitality and inventive spirit that define Picasso’s graphic oeuvre. The image, rendered on Montval vellum, reveals a nuanced interplay of tone and gesture, with the aquatint’s velvety depths contrasting the incisive clarity of the drypoint. “The Monkey” is distinguished by its exceptional state, exhibiting remarkable in-ink color variation and a pronounced bite, underscoring Picasso’s technical virtuosity. Referenced in Bloch 339, Baer 586, and Cramer 37, this work is a striking example of Picasso’s ability to transform the familiar into the extraordinary.

$ 10,000