An exceptional and highly desirable deluxe issue (tirage de tête) of one of Picasso’s most emblematic post-war illustrated books, created in collaboration with the Surrealist poet Paul Éluard. This publication marks a pivotal moment in Picasso’s artistic and political engagement, introducing the now-iconic imagery of peace that would define much of his later work.
This copy belongs to the limited deluxe edition on vélin Johannot pur fil, numbered XCVII (97), from the strictly limited issue of 150 copies, distinguished from the regular edition by superior paper quality and the inclusion of an additional original lithograph.
Artistic content
The volume is illustrated with the complete suite of 29 lithographs after Picasso, printed by Atelier Mourlot, including some of the most recognizable peace-related compositions of the early 1950s, such as:
Visage de la Paix (the iconic face with dove motif),
Tête de femme à la colombe,
various interpretations of the Colombe de la Paix theme,
These lithographs form a continuous dialogue with Éluard’s poetry, merging image and text into a unified artistic statement.
In addition, as required for the deluxe issue, this copy includes the original lithograph by Picasso, printed on Johannot paper, a defining feature that elevates this issue above the standard edition.
Physical description
In-8 format (approx. 28.5 × 22.8 cm)
Printed on vélin Johannot pur fil
Publisher’s original printed wrappers
Typography by Imprimerie Union, Paris; lithographs printed by Mourlot.
Catalogue references
Cramer 62
Bloch 687
Mourlot 203
Reuße 587
Orozco 128
Condition (important – exceptional state)
This example is in remarkably preserved, near-mint condition, which is particularly noteworthy for this title.
As widely known among collectors, the majority of copies of Le Visage de la Paix suffer from:
pronounced toning and darkening of the paper,
foxing and oxidation,
covers often turning from cream to a noticeably brown hue.
This copy stands apart.
It retains:
a fresh, bright and clean Johannot paper,
a well-preserved original cover with minimal to no discoloration,
sharp impressions of the lithographs and an overall crisp appearance.
Such preservation is rare, especially for the deluxe issue, where paper quality, while superior, is still highly sensitive to aging.
Notes for collectors
This deluxe example combines all key elements sought after by collectors:
limited tirage de tête (only 150 copies),
presence of the original lithograph,
complete suite of Mourlot lithographs,
and an exceptional state of preservation rarely encountered on the market.
Le Visage de la Paix remains one of the most important illustrated books of Picasso’s career, both artistically and historically. In this condition and configuration, the present copy represents a particularly desirable and investment-grade example of the edition