At the heart of the artistic revolutions that swept through the twentieth century, starting with Cubism, which turned traditional aesthetic representation upside-down, Picasso played a pre-eminent role. He also asserted this artistic modernity in other ways, particularly by disrupting the hierarchical relationship between fine art and the decorative arts.
Exploration of different media appears very early in his artistic process, but it emerged most significantly in the post-war years, when he worked increasingly with craftspeople or specific professionals, including François Hugo for gold- and silverwork. The last-mentioned appears to be perhaps one of Picasso’s least-known collaborations, which long remained confidential. It began in 1956 and was pursued until 1967. Through this association, nearly 70 pieces were created.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death, through the exhibition Picasso/Ateliers Hugo: Men of Gold, held in partnership with Ateliers Hugo, and the accompanying catalogue, the Commune of Vallauris Golfe-Jean has decided to present an opportunity to dive into the heart of this remarkable set of works.

Contents

Introduction
Céline Graziani

Souvenirs
Pierre Hugo

Picasso/Ateliers Hugo : Men of Gold
Nicolas Hugo

François Hugo or the Art of Transcribing and Enhancing Pablo Picasso's Ceramics
Élisabeth Valency-Lagarde

Archives

Catalogue

The silver plates

The gold sculptures

The gold medallions

Bibliography