Pablo Picasso’s Oiseau au ver (“Bird with Worm”) is a charming example of the artist’s wit and vitality expressed through the medium of clay. Created in 1952 at the Madoura pottery workshop in Vallauris, this ceramic plate features a boldly painted black bird rendered with expressive, calligraphic strokes. The creature stands proudly, a worm dangling from its beak - an image that radiates both humor and life.

In Oiseau au ver, Picasso distills the essence of his subject into a few spontaneous lines, merging the elegance of ancient pottery decoration with the immediacy of modern gesture. The simplicity of the form allows the brushwork to take center stage, capturing the bird’s movement and character with remarkable economy.

Playful yet masterful, this piece exemplifies Picasso’s ability to animate everyday imagery with personality and rhythm. Oiseau au ver celebrates nature, nourishment, and the creative impulse itself - proof that even the humblest subject, in Picasso’s hands, could become an emblem of joy and artistic freedom.