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Carmen

Artist Pablo Picasso Spanish (active France), 1881-1973
Author Prosper Mérimée French, 1803-1870
Date1949
DimensionsSlipcase: H: 13 11/16 in. (347 mm); W: 10 3/4 in. (273 mm); Depth: 2 13/16 in. (71 mm).
Chemise: H: 13 1/4 in. (336 mm); W: 10 1/2 in. (267 mm); Depth: 2 5/8 in. (67 mm).
Book: H: 13 1/8 in. (333 mm); W: 10 3/8 in. (263 mm); Depth: 2 1/4 in. (57 mm).
Page (untrimmed): H: 13 in. (330 mm); W: 10 in. (254 mm).
MediumOriginal prints: 38 engravings, incl. decorative initials. Text: letterpress. Paper: Montval cream wove paper, watermarked.
ClassificationBooks
Credit LineGift of Molly and Walter Bareiss in honor of Barbara K. Sutherland
Object number
1984.897
Not on View
Collections
  • Works on Paper
Published Referencescf. Goeppert, Sebastian, et al., Pablo Picasso: The Illustrated Books, Catalogue raisonné, Geneva, 1983, no.52.Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Picasso as an Illustrator, Jan. 23-May 29, 1988, no. 25.Label TextCARMEN, the dramatic story of athe beautiful Andalusian gypsy and fatal passion, was written in 1845, but it is more well known because of George Bizet's popular opera (11875). The Spanish associations of the story appealed to Picasso, and he made 38 engraved illustrations (one for every four pages) between May and November 1948. Most of the engravings depict simplified facial features of men and women, heads of bulls, ornamental initials, chapter headings and tailpieces. The title page is preceded by an engraving of a women's head with Andalusion headdress.

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