Focus on Dove (Picasso) and explore the Description.
On 9 January 1949, Picasso created Dove, a black and white lithograph, which he produced in the studio of the printmaker, Fernand Mourlot in Paris. It was published by Galerie Louise Leiris in an edition of five artist’s proofs and fifty prints on white Arches wove paper. The image of the white dove is simple, yet striking, and was created using lithographic ink wash.The printmaker, Fernand Mourlot, described the work as, "one of the most beautiful lithographs ever achieved; the soft tones attained in the feathers... are absolutely remarkable. This plate... conveys the maximum that can be obtained with lithographic ink used as wash."The dove illustrated in the lithograph was actually a Milanese pigeon, which had been a gift to Picasso from his friend and fellow artist, Henri Matisse.Picasso's Dove lithograph was used to illustrate the poster of the 1949 Paris Peace Congress. It was chosen by the poet Louis Aragon, a supporter of the French Communist Party, who visited Picasso’s studio. Dove became a symbol of peace and also of world Communism. The day before the opening of the Peace Congress on 20 April 1949, Picasso’s partner, Françoise Gilot gave birth to his fourth child, who was named Paloma, the Spanish word for dove.
Fernand Mourlot symbol of peace French Communist Party Françoise Gilot Paloma Louis Aragon lithograph Henri Matisse Communism Galerie Louise Leiris