Pablo Picasso – A printmaker’s journey from l’Atelier Mourlot to Imprimerie Arnéra

Pablo Picasso Galerie Mourlot Imprimerie Arnéra Archives

As The British Museum displays their extensive collection of rare lithographic and linocut prints made by Pablo Picasso, we recap the history of two famed print studios where the artist spent many hours of dedicated work, exploration and collaboration to produce the collectible lithographs and linocut prints that we are proud to hold in our collection.

Picasso at The British Museum

The British Museum’s latest exhibition ‘Picasso Printmaker’ showcases extremely rare lithographic and linocut prints made by the leading artist. A highly skilled process that takes a lifetime of dedication, Picasso worked tirelessly throughout his life working away on the limestones and carving intricate reliefs that amassed to over 20,000 artworks.

Alongside the collection, the exhibit chronicles Picasso’s life, from his early years as an artist in Paris to his old age in the South of France, offering insights into his complex relationships with women and his partnerships with printers, publishers and other artists.

Picasso a Vallauris

£310, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited André Villers Rare Posters Exhibition Posters Imprimerie Arnéra Archives Modern Art Figurative Photography

l’Atelier Mourlot, Paris

It wasn’t until 1945, at the aged of 60 that Picasso first walked through the door of l’Atelier Mourlot.

Located on the popular rue Chabrol, the famed print studio was opened by Francois Mourlot in 1852 as a producer of fine wallpapers. By the 1930s, the studio was publishing illustrated books, producing commercial work, theatre and cabaret posters, and, under the vision of Francois’ grandson Fernand, exploring the possibilities of the lithograph process in collaboration with notable artists of the day. Offering new ways of working and experimentation, Fernand taught artists including Joan Míro, Henri Matisse and Jean Cocteau the highly skilled process, offering them the freedom to create exciting work in the form of an art poster, and in the process, cementing the medium as a respected art form.

When Picasso arrived, he fast set to work on his own prints, and pushed the possibilities of the medium to new heights. A corner of the studio became Picasso’s private domain, and there in intense four month stretches, he created nearly four hundred lithographs between 1945 and 1969.

Congrès National du Mouvement de la Paix, 1962

£5,800, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Galerie Mourlot Exhibition Posters Modern Art Line Art

Verve 29-30, 1954

£3,750, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Abstract Figurative Cubism Exhibition Posters Galerie Mourlot Abstract Modern Art

Les Lithographies de L'Atelier Mourlot, 1984

£630, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Abstract Figurative Cubism Exhibition Posters Galerie Mourlot Portraits & Faces Abstract Modern Art Figurative

Hommage a Fernand Mourlot, 1990

£540, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Cubism Exhibition Posters Galerie Mourlot Portraits & Faces Modern Art Figurative

Galerie Louise Leiris, 1957

£4,960, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Abstract Figurative Exhibition Posters Galerie Mourlot Abstract Modern Art

Les Ménines, 1959

£1,760, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Unique Exhibition Posters Galerie Mourlot Modern Art

Imprimerie Arnéra, Vallauris

The 1940s was also the decade when Picasso relocated from Paris to the sun-soaked Provence region of France. Between visits back to l’Atelier Mourlot, he resided in the town of Vallauris, which is famed for its pottery.

Here alongside his work in ceramics he continued his passion for print, this time exploring linocut under the tutelage of Hidalgo Arnéra. The two creative mediums went hand in hand for Picasso, with many of the posters that he designed and printed at this time promoting solo and group exhibitions of his pottery, including the internationally renowned Vallauris Pottery Expositions.

Reflecting his enchantment with ancient Greek mythology, many of the linocuts feature illustrative designs inspired by characters from these fables, including the god Pan – a half man half goat figure, he is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, and is associated with spring, fertility, and of course, for playing his mesmerising Pan Flute. Other highly collectible posters depict the Bull, a representation of strength, fertility and abundance, which harks back to the artist’s Spanish roots.

Cent ans Picasso, 1981

£570, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Exhibition Posters Imprimerie Arnéra Archives Abstract Figurative Modern Art Abstract Line Art

Galerie des Remparts, 1959

£1,350, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Abstract Figurative Exhibition Posters Imprimerie Arnéra Archives Surrealism & Dada Abstract Modern Art Line Art

Linographies Originales, 1963

£550, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Exhibition Posters Imprimerie Arnéra Archives Portraits & Faces Modern Art Figurative

Les Déjeuners, 1962

£430, framed rare poster

Rare & Limited Pablo Picasso Rare Posters Abstract Figurative Exhibition Posters Imprimerie Arnéra Archives Abstract Modern Art

The British Museum exhibition is open now until 30 March 2025. Learn more. Discover more rare and collectible posters by Pablo Picasso in our Galerie Mourlot and Imprimerie Arnéra collections.

Explore our Pablo Picasso collection

Pablo Picasso – A printmaker’s journey from l’Atelier Mourlot to Imprimerie Arnéra

Picasso at The British Museum

l’Atelier Mourlot, Paris

Imprimerie Arnéra, Vallauris

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