Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) is without question one of the most important and revolutionary artists of the twentieth century. Surprisingly, however, his work in ceramics - which consists of several thousand pieces - has never been thoroughly surveyed. This volume reveals for the first time how painted and sculpted works in clay formed a vital part of Picasso's output during the last decades of his life, and how these works are intimately related to his art in other mediums.

During his lifetime Picasso kept most of his ceramics in his studio, and the limited-edition copies that were made gave little hint of their quality and extraordinary variety. With this book, which accompanies a major international exhibition and includes both preparatory drawings and photographs of the artist at work, Picasso's ceramics assume their rightful place in his legacy, and give a whole new dimension to the artistic activity of his later years.