Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Erotic (5 pcs), 1980

In May 1980, 'Playboy' magazine published a special collection of Pablo Picasso's works that focused on his erotic themes. This issue was unique in that it showcased some of his lesser-known sexually explicit prints and drawings. Picasso had a lifelong interest in erotic themes, which was evident in many of his works, whether in sculpture, painting or printmaking.

All works are framed in passepartout
Dimensions (in sequence): in St. p-p: 24.5 x 16.5 cm, (40 x 30 cm with p-p),
16.5 x 22.5 cm (40 x 30 cm with p-p); 18 x 11.5 cm, (30 x 21 cm with p-p),
5 x 8 cm, (30 x 21 cm with p-p), 10 x 13.5 cm, (30 x 21 cm with p-p)
Offset technique. Signatures from print.

Playboy presented these works as part of a broader cultural interest in art in the context of eroticism, and the issue emphasized his role as an artist who never shied away from such subjects. Playboy itself, being a magazine aimed at adults, found Picasso's work a perfect fit for their aesthetics and subject matter. Many of these graphics showed female nudes and love scenes, sometimes with a humorous and sometimes provocative character, typical of Picasso's style.

It is worth mentioning that Picasso's erotic works were not new at the time - they had already been exhibited in galleries around the world, although their publication in Playboy was a significant media event.