The Tragedy by Pablo Picasso Value Guide

This framed print captures 'The Tragedy', a seminal work from Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901-1904) painted in Spain. It is highly collectible for its somber blue-green palette and its poignant portrayal of human vulnerability and melancholy following the death of Carles Casagemas.

What affects the value of The Tragedy by Pablo Picasso?

• The physical condition of the paper print, specifically looking for foxing, fading, or water damage.
• The quality and historical accuracy of the wood frame and protective glass.
• The size of the print and its fidelity to the original 1903 somber color tones.
• Market demand for Blue Period reproductions which remain iconic symbols of Picasso's personal despair.

How to Identify The Tragedy by Pablo Picasso?

• Verify the specific monochromatic blue and blue-green color palette characteristic of Picasso's 1903 works.
• Check for the depiction of three distinct figures—a man, woman, and child—standing on a desolate, cold beach.
• Examine the print quality and the age of the wood frame and glass to determine the era of the reproduction.
• Look for the signature style of Picasso's early 20th-century figures, which emphasize themes of poverty and loneliness.

History of The Tragedy by Pablo Picasso

'The Tragedy' was painted by Pablo Picasso in 1903, during his 'Blue Period'. This era, from 1901 to 1904, was characterized by somber paintings rendered in shades of blue and blue-green, reflecting Picasso's personal struggles and feelings of despair after the suicide of his friend Carles Casagemas. The subjects of these works often included beggars, street people, and prostitutes, conveying themes of poverty, loneliness, and melancholy. 'The Tragedy' exemplifies this period, showing a family huddled together on a stark, cold beach, embodying human vulnerability.