Picasso Lysistrata suite

The Lysistrata etching suite consisting of six plates has been created by Picasso to illustrate Aristophanes’ drama which takes place in 411 BC.
It is now the twenty-first year of the War between Athens and Sparta and there seems as little prospect of peace as ever. A desperate state of things demands a desperate remedy, and the Poet proceeds to suggest a burlesque solution of the difficulty.
The women of Athens, led by Lysistrata and supported by female delegates from the other states of Hellas, determine to take matters into their own hands and force the men to stop the War. They meet in solemn conclave, and Lysistrata expounds her scheme, the rigorous application to husbands and lovers of a self-denying ordinance: "we must refrain from the male altogether." Every wife and mistress is to refuse all sexual favours whatsoever, till the men have come to terms of peace. They are to be passive and take no more part in the amorous game than they are absolutely obliged to. By these means Lysistrata assures them they will very soon gain their end. "If we sit indoors prettily dressed out in our best transparent silks and prettiest gewgaws, and all nicely depilated, they will be able to deny us nothing." Such is the burden of her advice.
After no little demure, this plan of campaign is adopted, and the assembled women take a solemn oath to observe the pact faithfully. Before long the advice of the bold Lysistrata proves entirely effective, Peace is concluded, and the play ends with the hilarious festivities of the Athenian and Spartan people in celebration of the event.
Lysistrata argues not so much for pacifism as for the idea that the states ought not be fighting one another but combining their forces. Pablo Picasso illustrated the revised version of the play done by Gilbert Seldes.

Created in 1934, executed with very precise, delicate etched lines, this work exemplifies Picasso’s mastery of the print as a medium and his ability to convey symbolism and narrative.
There were two editions made of this suite, one of 1500 and one of 150 which is hand signed and numbered. The contour lines are sharp and crisp, further emphasizing the formal aspect of this work. The impressions are wonderfully deep with strong plate mark—a remarkable work in very good condition.