Danseuse naine 1966

This striking 1966 original poster, issued for the Museo Picasso at the Palacio Aguilar in Barcelona, was published as part of the tribute marking Pablo Picasso’s 85th anniversary, with the mention Homenaje en su 85 aniversario, Gentileza de Sala Gaspar. It reproduces “Danseuse naine” (“Dwarf Dancer”), one of Picasso’s vivid early subjects inspired by the world of performers, cabaret, and the circus.

The image presents a small dancer standing frontally, her figure animated by a brilliant red costume and surrounded by a dense, shimmering field of multicolored brushstrokes. The textured background seems to vibrate around her, amplifying both her physical presence and her emotional intensity. Picasso’s handling of paint—short, energetic strokes and contrasting tones—gives the composition a raw immediacy, blurring the boundary between figure and atmosphere. The dancer’s assertive pose and direct gaze transform what might have been a marginal character into a powerful, almost confrontational presence.

The poster’s design is deliberately sober: the reproduction of the painting is isolated on a wide white ground, framed by refined typography announcing Museo Picasso, Palacio Aguilar and Barcelona, España. This restraint allows the expressive force of Picasso’s image to dominate, a hallmark of the museum posters produced in the 1960s.

Created at a moment when Picasso’s legacy was being formally celebrated in his native Spain, this poster stands as both a collectible graphic artifact and a cultural document. It reflects how Picasso’s early, emotionally charged imagery—rooted in humanity, performance, and difference—was reintroduced to a broad public through museum culture, affirming his enduring influence on modern art.

Original Poster

Exhibition - Dance - Spain

Museo Picasso Palacio Aguilar - Barcelona - Homenaje en su 85 aniversario, Gentileza de Sala Gaspar

Printed by Foto-repro in Barcelona

Good condition