Bunch with Apple, 1956This rounded square plate titled, Bunch with Apple, 1956 is an original ceramic object of white earthenware clay, with decoration accentuated with oxidized paraffin and oxides under glaze.  There were 400 copies of this plate produced at Ladoura Pottery.  It is dated January 22, 1956.

On the bottom is stamped "Empreinte Originale de Picasso" and "
Madoura Plein Feu" (full fire).

It is illustrated in the Madoura catalog as item number 307.

In 1956 Picasso is at his La Californie home in Cannes.  He paints a series of works of Jacqueline.

In the summer Picasso executes a number of bronze sculptures, mostly with a "bathers" theme which was a focus of his 1956 imagery.

Picasso also creates a very large number of ceramics, particularly plates with varying imagery.

The artist's 75th birthday was celebrated October 25th in Vallauris with Jacqueline, Jean Cocteau, and the potters at Madoura where his 70 pound cake is covered with 75 candles, blown out in 3 breaths.

In 1956 Picasso also experimented with jewelry designs, the inspiration coming from the dentist's instruments and making art of gold.  His first effort was a necklace.

In the same year artist Jackson Pollock died.