Pablo Picasso

Linoleum cut printed in colours, 1962, inscribed 'Pour Volodine son ami Picasso, 12.6.62', a proof aside from the edition of 50, published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris, on Arches wove paper

With wide margins, a number of horizontal printer's creases, mainly in centre image, the pigment surface slightly broken through on the crease below the left eye, an uneven semi-circular stain at upper left margin, partially rubbed, signature slightly rubbed, light-staining, and mount-staining at extreme edges of sheet, uneven backboard-staining, unframed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Mr Volodine worked in the Russian embassy in Paris at the beginning of the 1960s as a cultural attaché. He introduced Picasso to the Soviet art historian Mikhail Alpatov, who at the end of the 1960s wrote a book about Picasso's graphic work.