Lively and magnificently designed, this Picasso work is a lavish depiction of whimsical characters inspired from his cubist style and primitive art. Bold colors of red, yellow, blue, green, and violet are dispersed throughout the work in powerful allotments, creating a powerful visual dynamic for the viewer. A beautifully outlined bull’s head is positioned in the center, with two charmingly interactive characters on either side that complement each other in their own district vivid colors. The central image of the bull represents multiple different facets of Picasso’s career, from the iconic bullfight, circular ceramic plates, and the head of a bull, one of his most repetitive motifs.

Created in 1956 as a pennant for the Vallauris Exposition by the Vallauris Potters Association, this original color linocut on Arches paper is printed and published by Hidalgo Arnera, Vallauris, France. Hand signed by Pablo Picasso (Malaga, 1881 - Mougins, 1973) in red crayon in the lower right margin, inkstamped 'IMP.Arnera-Vallauris (A.M.)' and 'Exemplare d'Exposant - Hors Commerce', one of three exhibitor's copies on larger paper, aside from the edition of 200 on Arches paper.

According to Baer, only three proofs on larger paper such as this one, were printed with more intense blues and reds than the final edition of 200.