Pablo Picasso, The reading, 1932

Pablo Picasso, The reading, 1932The Reading (1932), sometimes titled La Lecture, is one of Pablo Picassos most emblematic portraits from his extraordinarily productive early 1930s period, a time marked by sensuality, bold color, and the artists deep infatuation with Marie Thrse Walter. Painted in 1932a pivotal year often considered one of Picassos greatestthis work captures the serene, dreamlike presence of his young muse, whose features dominate his art of the period. In the

with a thriving arts scene

was an engraver who worked with several publishers

" which aimed to produce a comprehensive world atlas

loosely suggesting the presence of objects

The painting is part of Picasso's series of works that were inspired by mythology and ancient art

It would have been used by navigators

produced at a moment when wine had become a symbol of national identity and economic pride

" a comprehensive atlas that went through multiple editions and contained maps of various regions around the world

Merian’s meticulous engraving preserves details of the townscape that have since disappeared

" a similar series focused on the cities and regions of France

This work demonstrates Pollock’s developing technique of dripping

and Lake Lugano