Pablo Picasso (Malaga 1881 - 1973 Mougins). Minotaur with a cup in hand, young woman, 1933. Etching on Montval laid paper. 26.5x19cm. Signed in pencil lower right. Unnumbered edition of 260 published by Ambroise Vollard (Suite Vollard 83) and printed by Roger Lacourière. Bloch 190. From a European private collection; Galerie Michael, Beverly Hills

This print marks the first appearance of the Minotaur in the famous 'Vollard Suite'. Although the one hundred etchings in the suite are lacking in narrative unity, Picasso’s images appear to relate a personal odyssey. In adopting this Minotaur as his alter ego, the artist removes the creature from its dark labyrinth in the Palace of Knossos and places the beast in the artist’s bright studio, where he raises a toast alongside a beautiful young model (probably Marie-Thérèse Walter).