Picasso Cut Papers

This insightful book explores the unique cut papers of Picasso, revealing a private yet pivotal aspect of his artistic legacy.

The book Picasso Cut Papers delves into the lesser-known aspect of Pablo Picasso's artistic journey, focusing on his unique practice of creating cut papers, or papiers découpés. Spanning his entire career from 1881 to 1973, it showcases the evolution of this intimate art form, beginning with his early cut drawings made at just nine years old in 1899, and extending into the 1960s, showcasing works crafted in his eighties. The book highlights some of Picasso's most whimsical and intriguing creations, alongside a selection of sculptures made from metal, wood, and ceramic.

Despite the significance of these cut papers, Picasso seldom sold or exhibited them during his lifetime. Instead, he treated them as a private endeavor, often making them for family or as preparatory models for his fabricators. Picasso Cut Papers is the first publication dedicated exclusively to this fascinating aspect of his work, featuring many pieces that are reproduced for the first time, accompanied by newly commissioned photography. The book also offers fresh scholarship that illuminates this little-known facet of one of the 20th century's most influential artists.

In addition to the artworks, the book includes a photographic section that chronicles Picasso's engagement with cut paper and sculpture over the decades. This documentation not only captures his innovative spirit but also enriches the ongoing discourse surrounding abstraction and modern art, revealing how these cut papers contributed to the roots of contemporary artistic practices.