Lot Essay
In a room flooded with moonlight a god-like faun unveils a sleeping woman. Inspired by Rembrandt's etching Jupiter and Antiope (B. 203), Faune devoilant une Femme contains many autobiographical allusions to the artist's relationship with his lover Marie-Thérèse, whose powerful physical allure is so evocatively portrayed in the curvaceous figure of the sleeper. Unlike Rembrant's Jupiter, who leers lecherously at the nubile Antiope, this faun gazes upon her, transfixed by her beauty and reaching out to caress the object of his desire. At the time this print was made, Marie-Thérèse had given birth to their daughter, Maya, and it has been suggested that the etching is Picasso's nostalgic evocation of a passion now passing, irrevocably changed with the advent of parenthood. It is one of the most beautiful examples of the artist's graphic work, both lyrical and mysterious, and has been justly described as a masterpiece.