Salomé from the Saltimbanques series

Salomé from the Saltimbanques series by Pablo Picasso is a significant drypoint print created in 1905 and formally published in 1913. This print is a pivotal example of the Spanish artist’s graphic output during his transitional Rose Period, a phase marked by a move away from the intense sorrow of his preceding Blue Period toward a more tender, yet still poignant, exploration of human experience.

The subject matter places the composition within Picasso’s fascination with the lives of traveling circus performers, or saltimbanques, a recurring motif in early 20th-century Parisian artistic circles. The figures of the acrobat and the harlequin were often used by Picasso as symbolic representations of modern alienation, grace, and subtle theatricality. In this instance, the biblical figure of Salomé is integrated into this world of performers, reinterpreting her traditional role as a dangerous femme fatale into a more nuanced, expressive figure typical of the performing archetypes that occupied the artist during this period.

The technique employed here is drypoint, a form of intaglio printmaking where the artist draws directly onto the copper plate with a sharp tool. This technique results in a characteristic burr of metal flanking the incised line, yielding the velvety, rich quality evident in the finished prints. Picasso’s early engagement with printmaking, particularly in series like Saltimbanques, established him as a master of the graphic arts, capable of conveying deep emotion through economical line work.

Although the plate was executed in 1905, the definitive edition was not issued until 1913, reflecting the increasing demand for Picasso’s early work as his reputation solidified. This piece is essential to charting the evolution of early modernism and is highly regarded for its synthesis of mythological subject matter and contemporary performance themes. This important work is held within the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.