Paul Verlaine
Picasso drew this portrait of the French Symbolist poet Paul Verlaine (1844–1896), and another of his friend Stéphane Mallarmé (1842–1898), on the endpapers to an edition of Mallarmé's poetry that belonged to his friend Paul Éluard (1895–1952). The Met's drawing was separated from both the book and its companion drawing at some point before 1966.
Picasso was probably introduced to Verlaine's poetry while still a teenager in Spain, but it was Max Jacob, whom he met in Paris in the summer of 1901, who was responsible for the artist's early education in French literature, especially Verlaine. Picasso met Éluard in the mid-1920s through his associations with the Surrealists. He dedicated a number of poems to Picasso and collected his work. In turn, Picasso contributed original illustrations to Éluard's publications.
Picasso was probably introduced to Verlaine's poetry while still a teenager in Spain, but it was Max Jacob, whom he met in Paris in the summer of 1901, who was responsible for the artist's early education in French literature, especially Verlaine. Picasso met Éluard in the mid-1920s through his associations with the Surrealists. He dedicated a number of poems to Picasso and collected his work. In turn, Picasso contributed original illustrations to Éluard's publications.
Artwork Details
- Title: Paul Verlaine
- Artist: Pablo Picasso (Spanish, Malaga 1881–1973 Mougins, France)
- Date: 1945
- Medium: Brush and pen and black ink on paper
- Dimensions: 11 9/16 × 8 5/16 in. (29.4 × 21.1 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Bequest of William S. Lieberman, 2005
- Object Number: 2007.49.81
- Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
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Multiple artists/makers
1915
Multiple artists/makers
1968
Pablo Picasso
1921
Pablo Picasso
1901
Pablo Picasso
1921
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