La Jeune parque

La Jeune parque is an important illustrated book created by Pablo Picasso in 1921. This significant publication, featuring one original lithograph integrated into the volume, demonstrates the Spanish artist's strong engagement with printmaking and the livre d'artiste tradition during this period. Classified specifically as an Illustrated Book, the work is a cornerstone of modern publishing history, showcasing the close relationship between modern poetry and avant-garde visual arts in the early 20th century.

Created during a moment of stylistic transition for Picasso, the book was produced when the artist was exploring Neoclassical imagery following the turbulence of the preceding decade. While the exact subject matter of the accompanying poem is often interpreted through classical lenses, the print included here provided a visual counterpoint, demonstrating Picasso’s mastery in translating figural forms onto stone for replication. The use of lithography, a popular commercial and fine art printing technique, allowed Picasso to achieve subtle tonal variations and expressive lines suited to his Neoclassical drawings of the time.

As a high-quality, limited-edition publication from 1921, this piece is particularly valued for the single, hand-pulled print it contains. Such works provided an essential channel for the dissemination of avant-garde visual concepts to collectors interested in the confluence of modern literary and artistic movements. Today, high-quality prints and reproductions of Picasso’s illustrated works remain sought after, highlighting the enduring appeal of his involvement in book design.

This unique illustrated book is recognized globally as a foundational piece of modern design and printmaking. The work currently resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, underscoring its historical importance within the narrative of 20th-century art.