Tripod Vase

This tripod vase is a wonderful example of Pablo Picasso’s work at the Madoura studio in Vallauris. Created in 1950 by ceramicist Suzanne Ramié, co-founder of the studio, this generously curved tripod vase possibly makes reference to Cypriot Bronze Age pottery from 2300-2000 B.C.E. known as “red polished ware,” which features incised or relief designs of human or animal figures. Picasso painted its decoration the following year. While Suzanne Ramié opted for white, in order to tone down the anthropomorphic appearance of the piece, Picasso chose to emphasize it by giving it the look of a woman leaning on her elbows and holding her head in her hands. The vase was produced in an edition of seventy-five.