PABLO PICASSO, Le Goût du Bonheur, Éditions Cercle d'Art / Galerie du Passeur, 1970

Pablo Picasso
Le Goût du Bonheur
Éditions Cercle d'Art / Galerie du Passeur, Paris, 1970
Exhibition and book-launch invitation
21 × 9.5 cm folded · 42 × 9.5 cm unfolded
Printed cream paper, single fold, deckled lower edge
Text by Jean Marcenac

Original invitation to the cocktail vernissage for Picasso: Le Goût du Bonheur at Galerie du Passeur, 90 rue du Bac, Paris VIIe, 27 October 1970, 18h–20h. The exhibition marked the presentation of Éditions Cercle d'Art's publication reproducing in facsimile drawings from three of Picasso's working notebooks. The French edition was issued in 666 numbered copies.

The notebooks, made between April and October 1964, gathered 71 reproduced drawings — 27 in colour — with an introductory text by the poet and critic Jean Marcenac. Marcenac had written on Picasso since the 1940s and was among the sustained critical voices around his late work.

The invitation is unusually spare and elongated. The cover carries only Picasso's name, the title in brown serif type, and Marcenac's name. Opened, one panel reproduces an excerpt from Marcenac's text; the opposite gives the exhibition details. Heavy cream stock, a pronounced deckled lower edge and the visible paper surface give what was essentially temporary promotional matter the physical presence of a small publication in its own right.

A precise example of the point at which exhibition announcement, publishing history and artist ephemera meet: the book was made to preserve Picasso's notebooks; this card was made simply to announce its arrival.

Condition: Very good vintage condition. Light overall toning, minor handling and slight softening around the fold and edges. Deckled lower edge as issued. Please refer to photographs.