Private Collection, United States
Richard Gray Gallery, Chicago
Thomas Ammann Fine Art, Zurich
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1988

Paris, Berggruen & Cie, Picasso, Gouaches, Lavis et Dessins, 1966-1972, Paris, 1981, no. 9, illustrated in the catalogue n.n.
Chicago, Richard Gray Gallery, Picasso's Picasso's Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture from the Artist's Estate, 1985, no. 34, illustrated in the catalogue p. 33
Zurich, Thomas Ammann, Picasso: Drawings, Watercolors, Pastels, 1988, no. 24, illustrated in the catalogue n.n.

Christian Zervos, Pablo Picasso, œuvres de 1967 et 1968, Paris, 1973, vol. 27, no. 388, illustrated pl. 168
Pierre Daix, Picasso: gouaches, levis et dessins, 1966-1972, 1981, Paris, no. 9, illustrated n.n.

Executed on blue laid paper, not laid down, affixed along the upper edge and floating in the mount. The left edge is perforated with tiny tears associated with the removal from the sketchbook. The sheet is undulating. There are intermittent tape remnants on the verso from a previous mounting. There are tiny nicks to the lower right corner. This work is in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"To draw is to take possession of the world and, very directly, of the women we have loved […]. One must keep in mind this exploratory role in order to capture the reach of these drawn works belonging to the last six years of the artist’s work. […] he gave himself over to it entirely, I mean, without painting. Yet, if he recapitulates his imaginary world, young women to be taken, each more tempting than the other, chaperones, musketeers from the time of Meninas, beyond the humour, the detachment, how can we not read the total commitmentt: each drawing is the minute of truth.”
Pierre Daix, (“Des dessins pour tout dire”, in Picasso. Gouaches, Lavis et dessins 1966-1972, Paris, 1981)