Picasso Gold 

The Gold Visage Tourmenté from Picasso had been safeguarded by its owner for 40 long years before it was thrust in the spotlight in June this year. The golden platter was one among the 172 ceramic works by the iconic painter, sculptor and ceramicist, and a rare piece given Picasso’s limited use of the yellow metal. Made from 22-carat gold and weighing a little over 2.5 kg, the piece depicts a human emotion – torment – as visualized by Picasso, whose favorite subjects were still-life objects, musical instruments and his friends.

In his Blue Period (between 1900 and 1902), where he used different shades of blue in his works, human misery was a dominant theme across his work. During this time, he was living in Paris, and his subjects were alcoholics, prostitutes, beggars and people in cafes and dance halls. In his Rose Period (1904-1905), he focused on circus artists as well as his poet, writer and art dealer friends. Human faces have also been his source of inspiration across his protocubism, cubism, sculpture, surrealist and realist works. The Picasso Gold visage tourmenté is yet another example.

The Gold Visage Tourmenté is interesting to say the least, and in keeping with Picasso’s use of fragmented motifs and radical experimentation. The new owner of this rare piece of artistry and the large crowd of bidders at the heavily attended auction must, no doubt, have felt the same way.