Post-War Art by Pablo Picasso and Sam Gilliam Highlights Freeman’s Upcoming Sale

Although Pablo Picasso is well known for his paintings, he also crafted noteworthy ceramics. He spent many years at the Madoura Pottery studio in Vallauris and produced striking ceramics in collaboration with Suzanne and Georges Ramié. However, his initial pottery works were met with harsh criticism and were dubbed superficial. Nonetheless, after a shift in the idea of modernization in the 1980s, the Spanish artist’s pottery was regarded as significant post-war art. The upcoming auction from Freeman’s will feature one such pottery piece by Picasso. The two-handled pitcher from a private Philadelphia collection has a distinct design with slip-painted and glazed ceramic body and incised decoration. The form and detailing are conceived beyond the norms of traditional pottery. 

Another key highlight of the auction is Sam Gilliam’s untitled acrylic on beveled edge canvas. Executed around 1970, it is signed verso. The painting is characterized by freestyle paint handling, unrestrained expression, and use of the acrylic staining technique. The American Color Field painter was also associated with lyrical abstractionism. Vũ Cao Đàm’s oil on canvas Sérénité also leads the listings. The figurative work reflects the influence of European masters on the artist. Visit Freeman’s to view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Modern and Contemporary Art sale.