1970 Print Appraisal

Pablo Picasso, 'Le Marin (The Sailor)' Print, 1970

This item is a framed art print, likely a lithograph or serigraph, featuring a male figure in a military-style uniform and a feathered hat, characteristic of Pablo Picasso's later Cubist or Neo-Expressionist works. The print is presented within a gold-colored, ornate wooden frame with a braided or twisted rope motif along its inner edge. A light-colored mat board, possibly cream or off-white, separates the artwork from the frame, providing ample visual space around the image. The artwork itself depicts a bust-length portrait, with the subject's face rendered in pale tones, featuring prominent, wide-set eyes and a simplified, almost mask-like quality. The headwear is a wide-brimmed hat adorned with what appears to be a red feather or plume. The subject’s attire includes a richly decorated jacket or coat, with patterns of dots, stripes, and solid blocks of color in shades of blue, red, and white. The background is abstracted, using washes of yellow-orange, blue, and black, contributing to the overall dynamic and somewhat unsettling mood. Crucially, there are markings visible in the upper right corner of the print: '2.11.70', which is likely a date indicating November 2, 1970, a common practice for Picasso to mark his works. This date places the work within his final decade of artistic production. The printing quality appears to be good, with crisp lines and vibrant color saturation, suggesting a high-quality reproduction. The visible condition of the print within the frame appears excellent, with no obvious discoloration, tears, or significant wear. The frame exhibits minor surface wear consistent with age, but no major damage is apparent. The craftsmanship shows attention to detail in both the print reproduction and the framing choice, which complements the art style.