Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

“with one impression of his thumb he transformed a vase into a woman.” (Daniel-Henry Kahnweiller, Picasso Céramique, Hannover, 1957, p. 17).

Vase deux anses hautes was conceived in 1952, only five years after Picasso began his creative collaboration with the Ramié family in Vallauris. In this work, Picasso has used a traditional vase shape, dating back to Classical antiquity. The handles extend out from the body of the vase to create the arms of a figure. The curvature of the top of the vase is painted with a figure's face and simple feet have been painted on the base. In between, the curvature of the central body of the vase has been decorated playfully to suggest hands, legs and clothing. This is a strong example of Picasso's innovative ability to transform something as simple as the traditional vase form into the elegant female sculpture.