Artist: Pablo Picasso [d'apres] (Spanish, 1881 - 1973). Title: "May 16, 1964 #4 [from the suite 'Le Gout du Bonheur,' image dated 16-5-64 IV, untitled as issued]". Medium: Original color silkscreen & lithograph. Date: Composed 1964. Printed 1970. Dimensions: Overall size: 12 7/8 x 9 11/16 in. (327 x 246 mm). Lot Note(s): Signed in pencil, lower right; annotated in pencil (presumably in the artist's hand) lower left; dated in the plate, lower right. An artist’s proof (E.A. - epreuve d’artiste) aside from the edition of 666. Cream wove handmade watermarked rag Velin d' Arches paper, deckle edges three sides. Full margins, as issued. Fine impression. Fine, fresh condition, as issued, with rich, vibrant colors. Literature/catalogue raisonne: Goeppert/Cramer (GC/CR/CBK/CB/C) 148; Bloch (BB) 150. Provenance: the Estate of Guenther Dietz (German, 1919-1995), who printed the edition. Comment(s): Although this work is often catalogued as a lithograph, or silkscreen, or pochoir, or photo-lithograph, in reality it is none of these. By 1964 Guenther Dietz, the printer, had created a unique fine printing system which involved the use of both lithographic plates and serigraphic screens. He and master printers from his company (Guenther Dietz Offizin Handpresse GmbH, Munich & Lengmoos, Germany) printed this work under the direct supervision and participation of Picasso himself. Dietz used grease crayon, lithographic tusche, lead pencil, and charcoal, among others, to create the matrixes and receive Picasso’s approval to print the edition (Cramer, ‘Livres’ 148). The plates and screens were destroyed after printing. Published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York. Image copyright © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. [30021-2-1600]