La Serrure

Designed between 1955 and 1960, La Serrure reflects the intimate and symbolic imagery that Pablo Picasso developed during his years at the Villa La Californie in Cannes. During this period, the objects of his daily life—pitchers, birds, and simple studio motifs—became the foundation for a new series of bold, simplified compositions.

At the center of La Serrure is the vertical “keyhole” form that gives the work its title. In Picasso’s imagery, this shape often acts as a kind of visual portal, framing the surrounding elements and inviting the viewer into the scene. Around it appear two familiar motifs from the artist’s studio life: a stylized pitcher on one side and a bird on the other, likely inspired by the pigeons Picasso kept at La Californie.

The composition uses large blocks of earthy terracotta, black, and cream, creating a structure that feels both graphic and monumental. Like many of Picasso’s later works, the design balances playful symbolism with a strong architectural clarity.

This example was produced in Paris through the collaboration between Marie Cuttoli and Galerie Lucie Weill, whose artist rugs helped define the mid-century revival of modern textile art. Cuttoli was instrumental in persuading leading artists—including Picasso, Léger, and Arp—to translate their imagery into woven form.

Preserved in excellent condition and originating from a French private collection, La Serrure stands as one of the most recognizable Picasso rug designs. The piece reflects a moment when modern painting began to move beyond the canvas and into the living space itself.